Grape for pruning back (5)
I believe the answer is:
pinot
'grape' is the definition.
(I know that Pinot is a type of Vitis vinifera)
'for pruning back' is the wordplay.
'for' becomes 'to' (eg both can mean 'in the opinion of').
'pruning' becomes 'nip' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'to'+'nip'='tonip'
'tonip' reversed gives 'PINOT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pinot that I've seen before include "drink" , "Black or white grape variety" , "Wine-making grape" , "Variety of grape used for Burgundies and champagnes" , "Variety of wine grape" .)