According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the German Winegrowers' Association (DWV) estimates the 2024 wine harvest in Germany to reach 7.9m hl. This represents a 10% decrease from the ten-year average (8.8m hl) and approximately 9% less than last year’s yield, marking the lowest harvest since 2017, which stood at 7.5m hl. Notably, initial forecasts by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), had projected a significantly higher yield for 2024.
The extended ripening phase has positively influenced aroma potential, with the DWV predicting fresh, vibrant wines with pronounced fruitiness and moderate alcohol levels.
Regional discrepancies
Late frosts in April led to substantial regional yield variances, explains the DWI. Eastern regions such as Saxony and Saale-Unstrut are expected to suffer yield losses of over 70% compared to the previous year, with significant losses also anticipated in the Ahr and Mosel regions. Franconia and Württemberg are facing frost-induced losses of 19% and 25%, respectively.
The overall harvest loss is tempered primarily by the resilience of Germany's two largest wine regions, Rheinhessen and the Palatinate, which were mostly spared from frost damage. The Palatinate anticipates a modest decline of 4% from the previous year, while Rheinhessen even projects a 7% increase in yield.
