There are many other animals besides humans that want our grapes, especially deer and birds. We use permanently afixed netting that must be put up and taken down each year. By attaching the netting to the structure we avoid the time, energy, and storage facility needed for impermanent netting.
We do not irrigate our vines. We thus never draw more water from the Outer Coastal Plain aqiifer, on which the vineyard sits, than what the vines extract on their own. Fun Fact: We were approached some years ago by the New Jersey Blue Bird Society and asked whether we would accept a couple of Blue Bird nesting boxes. These lovely birds prefer to nest in open areas and away from other birds. Vineyards are a perfect lcation for them, and they don’t eat grapes–just insects! We are happy to have them on our property.