Decreasing availability of non-saline water in arid and semiarid regions is one of prime concerns to all irrigated grape producers as the grapevine genotypes are not salt tolerant plants and producers often face the choice of either limiting fresh water application or using alternative saline waters. Present investigations were performed to analyze the effects of NaCl supplementation to irrigation water on the physiology and vegetative development of three grapevine rootstocks (41 B, 99 R and 140 Ru) commonly used across the world. Rooted cuttings of each rootstock were transplanted in pots and after the good establishment, salinity applications (0, 35 and 70 mM) were performed three times. EC and pH values of the growth substrate (perlite, peat and soil moisture) increased after the applications from 2.85 to 4.06 dS m−1 and from 7.54 to 7.81, respectively. NaCl applications in 35 mM did not significantly impair most of the analyzed plant parameters, while the use of 70 mM concentration resulted in decrease of leaf temperature across the rootstocks used. Besides chlorophyll concentration and shoot growth of 41 B were significantly restricted by NaCl at 70 mM. NaCl in both doses also markedly reduced the shoot elongation course of 99 R. Overall findings revealed that 41 B was the most severely affected genotype among them, while 140 Ru performed better physiology and development under the effect of salination applications.