The grapevine cycle is the annual sequence of growth, reproduction, fruit development, harvest, and dormancy in a cultivated vine. It begins with winter dormancy, followed by budbreak, shoot growth, flowering, fruit set, and the gradual enlargement of berries during spring and early summer.
Veraison marks the onset of ripening, when berries soften, change color, accumulate sugar, and lose acidity before harvest. After the crop is removed, the vine stores carbohydrates, sheds its leaves, and returns to dormancy, while pruning prepares the plant for the following season.