Contour or Keyline planting – a trend or a shift back to the old ways

Over the past few years we have seen trends come and go in the wine world and in viticulture. Organics, biodynamics, regenerative, natural wines, minimal intervention, high-density planting, big vine theory, mechanical pruning, pruning softer with sapflow in mind, global warming, climate change—and I am sure you will be able to add more. These are all buzz words to help show the world that you are different from the rest of the world. Some stick and some don’t. There is no silver bullet.

When I analyse these terms, I find myself seeing that in all of these you just need to find the balance that works for you—your climate, your varieties, your site, your ability to farm it, logistics, and ultimately wine style.

And that brings us to contour planting – or “keyline” planting for the hipsters.

It might seem like a modern sustainability trend, but it’s not. From the 1920s through to the 1990s—before mechanical harvesting changed the way we thought about vineyard layout—our grandfathers and great grandfathers planted along the contours as a matter of course. Not because it was fashionable, but because it made sense. It was practical, logical, and respectful of the land. Especially in the traditional grain growing areas where grain fields have been transformed to vineyards, these contours where kept intact. In a way, what we’re seeing now isn’t innovation—it’s a return to basics.

What is Contour Planting?

Contour planting means following the natural topography of the land when laying out vineyard rows. Instead of long, straight lines that cut through the landscape, you follow the curves of the slope, moving with the land’s rhythm. It’s a principle borrowed from soil conservation practices—one that slows down water, encourages infiltration, and reduces erosion.

In vineyards, especially in hilly or marginal terrain, this approach can help protect your most valuable asset: your soil.

A South African Perspective

South African viticulture is deeply shaped by our geography. Our vineyards are often planted on rugged terrain—granite hills in Stellenbosch and the Voor Paardeberg, shale ridges in the Helderberg in Stellenbosch and along the Kasteelberg in the Swartland, sandstone slopes in Elgin, and everything in between. Rainfall is inconsistent, erosion is a constant concern, and the climate is becoming more unpredictable with the distribution of rainfall becoming more of a concern.

In this context, contour planting becomes not just a practical decision, but a strategic one.

It helps retain topsoil and moisture, reduces runoff during heavy rainfall events, and allows for better vine balance in tricky sites. In a country where every drop of water matters and every ton of soil lost is a step backward, this approach offers resilience.

But What About Mechanisation?

Let’s not ignore the elephant in the vineyard: modern viticulture leans heavily on mechanisation. Straight rows are efficient. Machines like them. Labour costs demand them.

And yes, contour planting does complicate things. Tractors work harder on turns, traditional sprayers become less efficient, and harvesters prefer lines that go on forever.

But we need to remember: contour planting isn’t new. It’s how our vineyards were laid out before mechanisation was even an option. Back then, people walked the rows. They knew where the water pooled, where the soil slipped, and where vines struggled. Their layout choices were made with spades, not spreadsheets.

So maybe, the question isn’t whether contour planting suits modern farming—it’s whether modern farming should always override what the land is asking for.

The Visual and the Vine

There’s no denying the aesthetic beauty of vineyards planted on contour. The rows curve gracefully across the landscape like brushstrokes. But this isn’t just cosmetic. These vineyards often reflect a deeper sensitivity to place—and in many cases, that respect translates into healthier soils, more resilient vines, and more expressive wines.

Drive through older vineyards in places like the Swartland or Bottelary, and you’ll often see these patterns still in place. They are not just beautiful—they are functional, and with modern designs patterns as seen in most of the bushvine contour planted vineyards we do these days, we are creating artworks in the landscape.

Back to Basics

As with all things in viticulture, context is everything. Contour planting isn’t a cure-all, and it won’t make sense everywhere. But in the right spot—with the right slope, soil, and mindset—it’s one of the most powerful tools we have.

And maybe, in going “back to basics,” we’re actually moving forward.

There’s something grounding about the idea that the best path ahead might not be some new trend, but a rediscovery of the way our grandfathers did it—slowly, thoughtfully, and in tune with the land.