VineWorks announces trial of Viti-Till

Developed in collaboration with Wagner Pflanzen-Technik GmbH, the Viti-Till represents a major leap forward in minimising soil disturbance, maintaining most of the soil structure and preventing unnecessary erosion.

The Viti-Till is designed to dramatically reduce soil cultivation during preparation for vineyard planting by over 50%, preserving soil health and improving efficiency.

Unlike traditional methods that involve cultivating an entire field, the Viti-Till cultivates a 50 -100cm-wide strip at a depth of 30–50cm, the manufacturer explained.

This strip is then aligned with VineWorks’ Wagner IPS Drive Premium GPS-guided planting systems, enabling precision planting into the prepared strip while leaving over half of the field undisturbed, the manufacturer said.

‘Game-changer for vineyard managers’

Will Mower, head of vineyard establishment at VineWorks, explained: “This is a game-changer for vineyard managers looking to support regenerative practices.

“By minimising soil disturbance, we’re preserving soil structure, reducing erosion, and improving long-term soil health – all while increasing planting efficiency and reducing costs.”

Key benefits of the Viti-Till System:

• Reduced cultivation: Less than 50% of the field is cultivated, allowing nutrients and organic matter to be concentrated where the vines will grow rather than being wasted on unplanted areas.

• Improved soil structure: Preserving uncultivated alleyways supports better soil condition and improves traction for heavy planting machinery.

• Enhanced planting efficiency: Machine planting into the cultivated strip ensures precision, reducing the risk of poor root development and delayed vine growth.

• Adaptability in wet conditions: Solid alleyways with vegetation cover make the field more accessible in wet weather, preventing delays in planting schedules.

• Versatility beyond vineyards: The Viti-Till can also be used for tree planting, enabling large-scale, GPS-guided planting even during autumn and winter months when conventional ploughing is impractical.

The Viti-Till combines the functions of a subsoiler, plough, and power harrow into a single machine, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for vineyard owners, the VineWorks team added.

Hand planting can be up to three times more expensive than machine planting, and poor hand planting techniques can lead to stunted vine development. The Viti-Till ensures that vines establish strong root systems by replicating conventional ground preparation within a narrow strip.

James Dodson, CEO of VineWorks, concluded: “The Viti-Till could set a new standard for vine yard planting in the UK.

“It’s exciting that some of our clients are already trusting VineWorks with this groundbreaking technology.”

As the only vineyard development contractor planting vineyards with this method, VineWorks is once again leading the industry in innovation and sustainable vineyard management.

The team will be trialling the Viti-Till prototype during the 2025 planting season.

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