The common grape plant (Vitis vinifera) is a woody, perennial climbing plant classified as a liana, not a tree. It possesses a flexible structure that cannot support itself, requiring external structures or other vegetation to grow upright. The appearance of a grape plant is defined by a thick, twisting base that gives rise to long, annual growths. Understanding its look requires focusing on its natural morphology and the influence of human management.
The Anatomy of the Grape Vine
The permanent, lower section of the plant is the trunk, or vine stock. This section is thick, gnarled, and often deeply furrowed with age, storing carbohydrates for survival. From the trunk emerge the canes (the previous year’s woody, brown growth) and the shoots (the current season’s flexible, green growth). Leaves, buds, and tendrils originate from nodes, which are swellings along the shoots and canes.
The foliage consists of large, lobed leaves, typically light to dark green, often resembling a hand with three to five distinct points. These leaves convert sunlight into sugars that support growth and fruit development. A distinct visual feature is the tendril, a slender, coiled structure that spirals outward to grasp available support. This is how the plant naturally climbs; if it fails to find an anchor, the tendril hardens and becomes woody.
Grape flowers are inconspicuous, appearing as small, greenish clusters that lack showy petals. These flowers are perfect, containing both male and female reproductive parts, and are typically self-pollinating. After pollination, small green berries form in clusters. These clusters swell and ripen into familiar bunches of grapes, attached to the shoot by a woody framework called the stalk.
The Visual Role of Trellising and Support
Since the vine is a climber, its visual presentation in a vineyard is fundamentally shaped by the support structures humans provide. Without support, the shoots would sprawl across the ground, creating an unmanageable tangle. Trellising systems transform this natural sprawl into organized, linear forms, which is the typical appearance of a commercial vineyard.
The Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) system is a common method that forces the vine into a narrow, hedge-like curtain. This system uses a permanent wire, called a cordon, about three feet off the ground, with movable catch wires above it to train the green shoots vertically. This configuration creates a uniform, upright look and optimizes sun exposure and air circulation around the grape clusters.
Head-Trained or Goblet Training
This system involves pruning the vine to a short, freestanding trunk with arms radiating outward, resembling a small, self-supported bush. This method is often used in regions with intense sun exposure and results in a rustic, less linear appearance than VSP.
Overhead Systems (Pergola)
Overhead systems, such as the pergola, train the vines onto a horizontal framework, creating a dense, elevated canopy. This produces a shady, roof-like appearance, which is beneficial in very hot climates where grapes need protection from direct sun.
Seasonal Transformation of the Grape Plant
The appearance of the grape plant changes dramatically throughout the year, cycling through periods of intense growth and deep rest. In winter, the plant enters dormancy, shedding its leaves. It presents as a gnarled, thick trunk with brown, woody canes, appearing skeletal and resembling a short, twisting stump in the vineyard rows.
The cycle begins in early spring with bud break, when tiny green shoots emerge from the buds on the canes, marking the start of the growing season. As spring progresses into summer, the shoots grow rapidly, developing a dense canopy of large, green leaves that fully clothe the trellis structure. This is the period of full canopy, where the vineyard is a sea of vibrant green foliage.
The most noticeable visual change occurs in late summer during véraison, the French term for the onset of ripening. The hard, green berries begin to change color. Red varieties transition from green to pink, then deep red or purple, while white varieties become more translucent and golden. By harvest time in the fall, the heavy clusters of ripe fruit are prominently displayed. After the grapes are picked, the leaves change from green to brilliant yellows and reds before falling off, signaling the plant’s return to its dormant, woody state for the winter.