The vine is a plant belonging to the Vitis genus whose origin must have been in the Tertiary era (one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, from the end of the Cretaceous period about 65 million years ago to the start of the Quaternary period about 1.6 million years ago). Its cultivation had to await the European vine (Vitis vinifera) and its expansion from the Caucasus and Middle East with the first Western civilizations.
   These civilizations propagated its cultivation and introduced it to most of Europe via the Mediterranean. Despite its long history as a cultivated plant, it actually began as a mere creeper. Proof of this can still be found in its tendrils. As a genus, Vitis is a plant that has adapted to more global climates than any other. From Russia to the desert regions of California, from temperate coasts to mid European continental zones, it has adapted well.
   Despite this, only one species, Vitis vinifera, is considered apt for cultivation due to its grapes being more complete and of higher quality for winemaking, raisins or table grapes. The other species tend to give organoleptic faults. Throughout history Vitis vinifera has adapted to different areas. This evolution has given rise to what we know today as the different grape varieties.
   Viticulture (from the Latin word for vine) refers to the cultivation of grapes, often for use in the production of wine. It is one branch of the science of horticulture.
   By practice, viticulture is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. A viticulturalist's calendar includes studying the grapes being picked and transported to the winery, vine pruning during the winter months, ploughing soil to aerate and uncover the base of the vines, budburst and flowering of vines in the vineyard and observing the weeding a trimming of the vines for fruit development in the summer months. Viticulturalists are not winemakers as they do not actually produce the wines, but just observe and study the process.