Trellis wire that does not sag for 20 years.
12.5 gauge high-tensile wire, Class 3 galvanized, rated 200,000 PSI. The standard choice for grape cordon and catch wires. Plus 9 gauge soft wire for brace lines and end anchors.
What you get with CHANGE trellis wire.
1. Product introduction
Two kinds of wire go into a vineyard: high-tensile wire for the load-bearing lines, and soft (low-carbon) wire for brace lines and anchor ties. High-tensile 12.5 gauge is the industry standard for cordon and catch wires — at 0.099″ (2.5 mm) it is thin, but with 170,000–200,000 PSI tensile strength it carries a 1,500+ lb breaking load and, more importantly, it does not stretch. That is why rows stay tight for decades instead of sagging every season.
Class 3 galvanizing — roughly three times the zinc of Class 1 farm-store wire — is what gives the 20–30 year outdoor life. Soft 9 gauge wire is used where you need to tie, twist and rework: brace wire, anchor lines and drip lines. We supply both, in coils matched to row length.
2. Applications
Grape trellis — cordon wire, catch wire and foliage wire. High-tensile fencing for livestock and wildlife exclusion. Kiwi, raspberry and cane fruit trellising. Electrified fence systems — the steel core carries current. Orchard support and overhead cables.
3. Specifications
| Spec | High-tensile 12.5 ga | Soft 9 ga (brace wire) |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 0.099″ (2.5 mm) | 0.148″ (3.76 mm) |
| Tensile strength | 170,000–200,000 PSI | ~77,000 PSI |
| Breaking load | ~1,500–1,760 lb | ~1,320 lb |
| Yield point | ~1,060 lb | ~1,120 lb |
| Weight | ~0.026 lb/ft (38 ft/lb) | ~0.059 lb/ft (17 ft/lb) |
| Coating | Class 1 or Class 3 hot-dip galv. | Class 1 or Class 3 |
| Coil sizes | 500 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 4,000 ft | 100 lb coils |
4. Key features
- 200,000 PSI tensile — high-tensile wire does not stretch, so it does not sag.
- Class 3 galvanizing — 20–30 year service life in the field.
- Thinner wire, wider post spacing — lighter to handle, fewer posts per row.
- Smooth finish — safe for livestock and easier on hands than barbed lines.
- Coils 500–4,000 ft — match the length to your row, less waste.
- Meets ASTM A-845 / A-641.
5. How to install
Step 1 — Uncoil: Pay the wire out with a spinning jenny — never by hand. High-tensile wire kinks easily, and a kink is a permanent weak point.
Step 2 — Anchor: Build the end assemblies first: H-brace or earth-anchor tie-back at each row end. The end posts carry the whole tension.
Step 3 — Lay in: Run the wire through the post slots, pulling reasonably taut by hand.
Step 4 — Tension: Finish with a wire strainer or a mechanical connector, to 250–300 lb for 12.5 ga high-tensile. Use a tension indicator if you want it exact.
Step 5 — Join: Never knot high-tensile wire — use crimp sleeves or mechanical connectors. Knots are the weak point of any trellis.
Step 6 — Seasonal: Ease tension in winter; wire contracts in the cold and can pull posts over.
Tell us your gauge, coil length and coating class — we come back with a real price.
12.5 ga high-tensile in Class 1 or Class 3, soft wire for bracing, custom coil lengths for full-row runs.