Riesling, Dornfelder und Co: Weinernte unterm Durchschnitt - so niedrig wie 2010?

The 2026 wine harvest in Germany is expected to be below average, with both the Statistisches Bundesamt and Deutsche Weininstitut predicting a smaller yield compared to the average year. The Federal Statistical Office estimates a four percent decrease in the harvest compared to the years 2020-2025, which would result in a 30 million liter deficit.

The Weininstitut, however, projects the quantity to be around 20 percent below the ten-year average of 8.7 million hectoliters, making it as low as it has been in 16 years. The differing predictions may be due to the particularly small grapes this year caused by heat and sunshine. The Federal Statistical Office's figures are based on an estimate from September 20th.

The Weininstitut's more current estimate is based on lower juice yields during pressing. The yield also depends on the age of the vines and the soil's water-retention capacity. Older vines have adapted to the increasing drought in wine regions and survived the current drought surprisingly well with their deep roots, while younger vines and plantations on lighter soils suffered more visibly from the water shortage.

Roughly 70 percent of the expected harvest in Germany consists of white grape varieties, with Rhine (2.4 million hectoliters) and Palatinate (2.1 million hectoliters) accounting for the majority. The remaining quarter is distributed among Baden and Württemberg. Approximately 70 percent of the wine harvest is expected to be white, while 30 percent will be red.

The increase is mainly seen in Riesling and Dornfelder, while Grünem Silvaner and Blauen Portugieser see somewhat fewer grapes harvested.