Grafted Grapevines

A tiny louse, phylloxera, immigrated to Europe from America and proceeded to feast on the roots of vinifera grapevines, and to this day no remedy has been found to protect vinifera vines from phylloxera.  Grafting vinifera vines onto rootstocks of native American species that are resistant to the bug allows these grapevines to survive.

Miraculously, each grape variety maintains its own character despite the fact that its roots are alien.  The practice of grafting the fruit-bearing part of Vitis vinifera onto the rooting party of other, phylloxera-resistant species continues today everywhere in the world where phylloxera is present and fine wine is made.

Grafted Grapevine                               Phylloxera