What does winegrowing mean?
Winegrowing means the cultivation of grapevines for the production of wine. It covers the agricultural side of the wine industry: selecting and planting suitable grape varieties, training and managing vines, tending the soil, controlling vineyard conditions, and harvesting grapes intended for wine. The term is especially associated with regions where vineyards and grape cultivation are central to the local economy, but it can also describe the work of an individual vineyard owner. Winegrowing should not be confused with winemaking, which begins once the harvested grapes reach the winery and undergo fermentation and further processing. In general use, winegrowing has a practical and traditional character, evoking agriculture, landscape, and regional craftsmanship. Its principal synonym, viticulture, is broader in some contexts but is often used almost interchangeably for the cultivation of grapevines.
nounThe cultivation of grapevines for wine production, especially the growing and management of vineyard vines. It may also refer to the industry or activity of producing wine grapes.
- The cultivation of grapevines for wine production, or the industry organized around this activity.
"The valley is renowned for its winegrowing, with vineyards covering the sunlit slopes."
"The valley is renowned for its winegrowing, with vineyards covering the sunlit slopes."
"Small vineyards sometimes cooperate to share equipment and improve the economics of winegrowing."
Rarely used; winegrowing is normally treated as an uncountable noun.
Winegrowing names the work before the cellar: nurturing the vines whose fruit is destined to become wine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of winegrowing
Winegrowing is an English compound formed from wine and growing. Wine descends from Old English wine, which was borrowed from Latin vinum, while growing continues Old English grōwan, meaning to develop or increase. Related forms such as winery, winemaker, and vintner reflect the same long history of wine culture and ultimately reflect the Latin vin- stem.
Related word forms
How winegrowing is actually used
Usually an uncountable noun. It is commonly used attributively and is often hyphenated before another noun, as in "wine-growing regions," while the open form is normal when it stands alone.
Easily confused with winegrowing
Winegrowing refers to cultivating grapevines and producing wine grapes, whereas winemaking refers to turning grapes or grape juice into wine.