Vine Guards

Wrap-around guards in a 90mm profile — quick to fit around young vines and easy to remove at the end of the season.

Vigilis Vine Guards protect newly planted grapevines during the critical first years after planting, shielding young vines from rabbit and deer browsing, herbicide drift, and mechanical damage from vineyard operations. Suitable for UK and European vineyards of all sizes.

Vine Guards Products

Vigilis Wrap recyclable hedge wrap
Vine Guards

Vigilis Viti Recyclable Wrap Guards

Recyclable & Quick-Release

0.4–0.75m 1.5ft–2.5ft Recyclable

Vine Guards are used in

Explore by application type

Landscaping

Explore sector

Viticulture

Explore sector

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do newly planted vines need a vine guard?
Newly planted grapevines are extremely vulnerable in their first two to three years — browsing by rabbits or deer can kill young vines outright, and herbicide drift from weed control operations can cause serious damage. Vine guards provide physical protection against all of these threats while also creating a microclimate inside the tube that promotes faster establishment and stronger trunk development, directly reducing the time before a vine produces its first viable crop.
How tall should a vine guard be?
For sites where only herbicide drift and mechanical damage are concerns (i.e. the vineyard is fully rabbit- and deer-fenced), a shorter guard is sufficient. Where rabbits are present, a guard of at least 60 cm is needed. If deer have access to the site, a taller guard of 1.2 m or more is required. Always assess the browsing pressure on your site before selecting guard height — an undersized guard on a deer-present site offers false security.
When should vine guards be removed?
Vine guards should remain in place until the vine trunk is well established — typically two to three growing seasons after planting. Removing guards too early leaves the vine vulnerable and can undo the establishment advantage gained. Once the trunk is firm and the vine is trained onto wires, guards are no longer needed for mechanical protection, though they may be left on in high-browsing-pressure sites for additional peace of mind.
Are vine guards available in biodegradable formats?
The Vigilis range includes biodegradable options for vineyard use — contact us or speak to your local distributor to discuss which products are best suited to your vineyard's requirements and any grant or environmental scheme conditions that apply.

Vine Guards: Protecting Young Vines for Faster Establishment

Vine guards are an essential investment for any new vineyard planting. Young grapevines are particularly vulnerable to browsing damage from rabbits and deer, herbicide drift during weed management, and accidental contact from mechanical vineyard operations — any of which can kill or severely set back a vine that may have taken a year to establish. Vigilis Vine Guards provide targeted protection during this critical period while promoting faster trunk development through the microclimate effect inside the tube.

Establishment and Growth

Research consistently shows that vine guards improve establishment rates and accelerate early growth. The enclosed tube creates a warmer, more humid microclimate at vine level, which promotes stronger shoot and root development — directly reducing the time before the vine reaches productive maturity. UK vineyards, where the growing season is shorter than in continental Europe, particularly benefit from this acceleration. Vineyard Magazine regularly covers vine establishment practices including guard selection for UK conditions.

Choosing the Right Height

Guard height should match the browsing risk on your site. Where the vineyard is fully perimeter-fenced against rabbits and deer, a shorter guard for herbicide drift protection may be sufficient. On sites with rabbit or deer access, match height to the species present — at least 0.6 m for rabbits, 1.2 m for roe deer, 1.8 m for larger deer. Undersizing is one of the most common and costly errors in new vineyard establishment.

Find Vigilis Vine Guards

To discuss vine guard options for your vineyard or find a local Vigilis stockist, visit our distributor finder or contact the Vigilis team directly.