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The plant growth regulator ethylene influences rachis browning in grape (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.). Although the ethylene signaling pathway is well defined, there is limited knowledge on its mode of action during rachis browning. Here, we show that an ethylene response factor (<i>VvERF111</i>) positively regulates chlorophyll degradation in rachis by binding to a DRE motif in the promoter of <i>VvCLH1</i>. The expression of <i>VvERF111</i> and <i>VvCLH1</i> in rachis was induced by ethylene and inhibited by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). VvERF111 belongs to the ERF IX subfamily of the APETALA2/ethylene responsive factor (AP2/ERF) superfamily, shows transcriptional activity in yeast, and is localized in the nucleus and membrane. The transient overexpression of <i>VvERF111</i> or chlorophyllase (<i>VvCLH1</i>) in grape leaves accelerated chlorophyll degradation. In <i>VvERF111</i>-overexpressing leaves, transcript levels of <i>VvCLH1</i> were also increased. Our findings offer a deeper understanding of the transcriptional regulation of chlorophyll degradation during the rachis browning of grape.