German grape harvest finishes unusually early with healthy fruit

The 2026 wine grape harvest is already largely completed across numerous German winegrowing regions. Only special selections such as Trockenbeerenauslese remain on the vines, according to regional reports.

In Baden, the grape harvest began unusually early this year. According to Holger Klein, managing director of the Baden Winegrowers Association, picking began a full 14 days earlier than the long-term average. The harvest for Federweißer, a partially fermented young wine, started as early as Aug. 10. Long stretches of sunshine, an absence of rain, and weeks of temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees drove the early ripening. However, harvest volumes in Baden fell below average for the third consecutive year.

High must weights in Pfalz and Middle Rhine

Despite the smaller volume, the condition of the Baden grapes proved high in quality. Because weather conditions left little room for fungal diseases, winegrowers rarely had to apply crop protection products. Association President Rainer Zeller said the vines were 'tipptopp.'

Very good grape quality was also reported from the Pfalz region. At the Heinrich Spindler winery in Forst, must weights ranged between 92 and 98 degrees Oechsle. Regional harvest volumes varied: While the southern Pfalz saw solid yields, harvest volumes in the area around Bad Dürkheim remained lower.

Along the Middle Rhine, vintners also drew a positive conclusion on grape ripeness. They reported completely healthy fruit without signs of rot. For the Riesling variety, grapes along the Middle Rhine reached must weights of around 95 degrees Oechsle.