as far as the vine some coffee grounds could haved helped it, sounds like it was off to a good start, years ago my wife was starting a climbing rose and it did the same excact thing,, but we didnt give up on it, till we saw our neighbors dog pissing on it,,we relized it was too far gone at that...
when rooting your grapevine try using pooting soil with the little styrofoam balls in it. it is critical the soil can breathe and drain water, another thing try coffee grounds after its been in the ground for 2 weeks to help give it a start if it has stunted
as far as tough times we always put...