Carotenoids are a group of chemical compounds which are defined as isoprenoids that contribute to photosynthetic activity by capturing sunlight energy into reaction centers of photosynthesis, absorbing sunlight wavelengths from 400 nm to 500 nm. Carotenoids also possess a defensive role in grapevine metabolism, preventing photochemical damage caused by extensive sunlight energy which, in combination with oxygen, can cause extensive damage to plant tissue, possibly lethal. This defensive role is particularly effective in autumn when chlorophyll is degraded in plant leaves. Their presence in grapevine is essential to the development and survival of leaves and plant in general. The subject of this study was to determine the changes in carotenoid compound development in leaves which occurs during ontogeny. Leaf samples were collected periodically, starting from the post-flowering period and ending just before the technological maturity of grapevine varieties. In this study, samples were taken from 11 autochthonous red varieties and one introduced red variety. Leaf samples were properly stored, lyophilized and later extracted with a proper method. The later analysis was conducted with high-performance liquid chromatography. Results were processed with ANOVA test in combination with post-hoc Duncan test. Based on the results, a significant level of difference was determined in carotenoid content between particular varieties in different sampling periods. In addition to that, a significant level of difference was also determined in the same grapevine variety observed in different sampling periods. As a consequence of leaf senescence and environmental conditions, photosynthetic activity is degrading and carotenoid content as well.