Acquaviva Winery’s Multi-Row Bird Netting

Midwest Wine Press database manager, Nisha Aher, at Acquaviva Winery

Acquaviva Winery, Maple Park, Illinois

Aquaviva Winery is using bird netting that covers multiple rows at its 20 acre vineyard in Northeast Illinois on the outskirts of Chicagoland.   According to general manager, Joe Brandonisio,  only red grapes are covered with special bird netting that goes over multiple rows.

The larger nets make is easier to get tractors down the rows, he said.  Vines also benefit from not being crimped by tight nets,  he added.  The Aquaviva setup results in better airflow and improved sunlight exposure, Brandonisio claims.   Once the special, taller  fence posts are up, hanging the larger netting is no more time-consuming than netting the standard rows.

Acquaviva, which has been growing grapes in Illinois for ten years, believes that the keys to growing quality hybrid grapes are allowing sunlight to reach the clusters and not letting the fruit hang too long, Brandonisio said.   Acquaviva also has apple orchards and a 20,000 square facility that includes a tasting bar and a restaurant with a Neapolitan style pizza oven.

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