Replacement planting is a practice that is part of a vineyard's overall management strategy. Careful implementation is necessary to enable successful growth of the replacement vines. Once planted, young vines need a few years to reach their production potential, provided that they are well maintained (watering, fertilization etc.). In this sense, it is a pivotal strategic practice that is based on several criteria. Other "regeneration" practices (rejuvenation, over-grafting) are also possible, which can reduce the need for replacement planting.
2.7.1.a Why is replacement planting necessary?
Replacement planting is necessary for a vineyard to maintain its production potential. Moreover, above a certain threshold of dead and/or missing vines, the plot(s) may no longer be within the regulatory specifications for the appellation and risk being excluded.
The percentage of dead or missing vines referred to in article D 645-4 of the French rural and maritime fishing code is often set at 20%, notably for the Pauillac, Château-Grillet, Vosne-Romanée and Morey-Saint-Denis appellations.
When is replacement planting unnecessary or no longer necessary?
The decision to replant depends on several criteria, the principal ones being: the plot's age, the mortality rate, the wine's value, the presence of a viral infection and the imminence of a decision to pull up the vineyard.
If the plot is severely infected with a virus, or the mortality rate is very high (>8%) and/or the plot is a candidate for pulling up in a few years, replacement planting is no longer necessary.