Irrigation in viticulture is the process of applying extra water in the cultivation of
grapevines. It is considered both controversial and essential to
wine production. In the
physiology of the grapevine, the amount of available water affects
photosynthesis and hence growth, as well as the development of grape berries. While
climate and
humidity play important roles, a typical grape vine needs 25-35 inches (635-890 millimeters) of water a year, occurring during the spring and summer months of the
growing season, to avoid stress. A vine that does not receive the necessary amount of water will have its growth altered in a number of ways; some effects of water stress (particularly, smaller berry size and somewhat higher sugar content) are considered desirable by wine grape growers.