Wijnstok

Wijnstok is a Dutch term that translates literally as “grapevine” or “wine stock.” In viticulture and horticulture it refers to the above-ground portion of the grapevine that bears fruit, typically trained along a trellis or lines of wires.

The wijnstok is grown from cuttings that include the trunk and one or more fruiting canes. In many systems the plant is grafted onto a resistant rootstock to improve vigor and disease resistance. Regular pruning shapes the vine, manages the quantity and quality of fruit, and maintains the structure of the growth for the next season. Common training systems include spur pruning and cordon or Guyot methods, chosen according to climate, soil, and vineyard design. The term can denote either the whole vine or specifically the main stock from which fruiting canes emerge.

Grapevines require sufficient sunlight, well-drained soil, and appropriate water management. In cooler regions they are often grown in greenhouses or high tunnels to extend the growing season and protect the wine stock. Varieties grown on wijnstok include both wine grapes and table grapes; the term itself does not specify a variety.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, grapevines are commonly cultivated in controlled environments, with wine production being a niche or experimental activity in many cases. Globally, the management of the wijnstok is central to vineyard operations, influencing yield, berry composition, and ultimately wine quality.

See also: Viticulture, Grafting, Trellising, Pruning.