Managing a vineyard requires continuous attention to weather conditions, and hail is one of the most unpredictable and damaging threats. Hailstones can severely damage bunches of grapes and reduce the quality of the harvest, compromising months of work and care. To protect crops, the use of a tensioning system becomes a key solution for many grape growers.

Emmepi offers a plastic bracket with springs specifically designed to keep anti-hail nets taut and spaced away from plants. This easy-to-install and durable system is compatible with iron poles and adapts to winemakers' needs, providing constant protection against the weather.

How the anti-hail tensioning system of Emmepi

The tensioning system of Emmepi is designed to protect vineyards from the impact of hail and to keep the net well away from bunches of grapes and leaves.

Thanks to springs mounted on the plastic bracket, the tension of the net can be adjusted, reducing the possibility of it drooping or deforming under the weight of hail. In addition, the system allows only one spring to be used if the net is mounted on one side, allowing for greater flexibility in installation.

Advantages of using the anti-hail tensioning system

• Optimal crop protection: the bracket Emmepi allows the net to be kept at a constant distance from the plants, preventing hail from directly hitting the bunches or vine shoots. In this way, the system preserves the grapes from physical damage, contributing to healthy and uniform ripening.
• Mounting flexibility: due to its versatility, the tensioning system from Emmepi can be mounted on any iron pole, making it suitable for different types of vineyards. The ability to adjust the system with a single spring is an advantageous option for installations on vineyards with partial or single-sided nets.
• Long-term investment: the plastic bracket with springs from Emmepi is a durable solution to safeguard production for many seasons. Although the initial cost of the system may seem significant, the guaranteed protection over time allows the investment to pay for itself, avoiding crop damage and economic losses.

Installation of the anti-hail tensioning system

The tensioning system installation of Emmepi is designed to offer simplicity and speed, making it accessible even to winemakers with less experience in complex assembly. Plastic brackets with springs are designed for quick mounting on iron poles, without the need for specialized equipment. This optimizes installation time while still providing robust protection for the vineyard.

During assembly, it is crucial to carefully adjust the net tension using the springs so as to ensure evenly spaced coverage. Proper tension prevents the formation of air pockets or areas of sagging that could compromise the effectiveness of the protection.

In addition, as we have already mentioned, the ability to use a single spring on one side allows the system to be easily adapted to partial net configurations or one-sided vineyard coverage, thus meeting different protection needs.

Another important consideration is the height of the support posts, which must be high enough to allow the net to adequately cover the vines, but also to allow for maintenance operations such as pruning and harvesting. Because of the system's flexibility, installation can be adjusted so that the net does not interfere with vineyard management practices, ensuring protection and operational convenience.

Maintenance of the tensioning system

Although the tensioning system at Emmepi is built to last and withstand adverse weather conditions, it is good practice to conduct periodic checks to ensure its effectiveness.

After particularly intense weather events, such as strong winds or hailstorms, it is advisable to check the integrity of the net and check that the brackets and springs are still secure and in good condition. Careful checking of the net tension ensures that it continues to provide uniform protection, with no risk of sagging that could expose the vineyard to damage.

Regular maintenance also includes inspection of support poles to ensure that they are stable and well anchored in the ground. Over time, the poles may become tilted or loosened, which could compromise the safety of the structure.

Periodic inspection of the components allows timely action with replacement of any worn brackets or springs, thus extending the life of the system. Performing these checks not only preserves the effectiveness of protection, but also contributes to sustainable and optimized use of the system, reducing the need for more significant repair work in the future.

Adaptability of the tensioning system

The tensioning system from Emmepi was designed with maximum adaptability in mind. Because the brackets can be mounted on any iron pole, this system lends itself to a variety of vineyard configurations, even adapting to the needs of winegrowers who already have preinstalled structural poles.

The versatility of the brackets allows one or more springs to be used to adjust tension as needed, allowing winegrowers to protect their crops with a system that can be customized to specific vineyard conditions.

Benefits for vine and grape quality

Protecting bunches and leaves from hail not only prevents immediate damage, but also improves the long-term health of the plant and the quality of the wine produced. When vines do not experience mechanical stress from extreme weather events, they can focus their resources on cluster development, ensuring healthy and vigorous growth. The continuous protection provided by Emmepi 's tensioning system allows winemakers to preserve the most delicate parts of the plant, such as leaves and vine shoots, which are critical for photosynthesis and nutrient transport to the fruit.

A well-protected vineyard allows for uniform ripening, as the plants, not having to recover from injury or trauma, can devote themselves entirely to the process of growth and development. This results in more consistent clusters rich in sugars, polyphenols and other aromatic compounds essential for wine. Protecting the plant from environmental stress also promotes the organoleptic quality of the wine: intact, healthy grapes produce full-bodied wines with balanced flavors and a more defined aromatic structure.

In addition, a vine that is less susceptible to injury is less vulnerable to fungal diseases or infections that may arise as a result of hail damage.

This means that winemakers can reduce the use of chemical treatments to protect the plant, promoting a more sustainable and natural approach to viticulture. With the tensioning system from Emmepi, winemakers can count on a complete protection solution that supports the plant throughout the entire growth cycle, ensuring high-quality harvests year after year and wines with superior characteristics.

Saving time and resources

In addition to protecting the vineyard, the tensioning system from Emmepi saves time and resources. Once installed, the system requires little maintenance and offers long-lasting protection that reduces the risk of costly damage to repair.

With a stable installation and minimal adjustment, grape growers can focus on other crucial production activities, knowing that the vineyard is safe from the weather. In this way, the tensioning system proves to be an efficient choice not only to protect the crop but also to improve the overall productivity of the winery.