vineyard in figurative usage, a sphere of action or labour, as in biblical allusion to Matthew 20:1 and 21:28.
parable of the vineyard a parable in Luke's gospel, from which the Vinegar Bible was named. The vineyard stands for the world created by God. The parable tells the story of a man who planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen while he was away. On his return, he sent his servants (the prophets) for the fruit, but they were beaten and driven away; when he sent his son (Jesus Christ), the husbandmen planned to kill him.

vine·yard / ˈvinyərd/ • n. a plantation of grapevines, typically producing grapes used in winemaking. ∎  fig. a sphere of action or labor (in allusion to Matt. 20:1): women professors laboring in feminist vineyards.

vineyard XIV. f. VINE + YARD1; superseding ME. winyard, OE. wīnġeard.