Winemaking at Saale and Unstrut - Uncertain weeks for winemakers
Winegrowers in Saxony-Anhalt still have uncertain weeks ahead of them until harvest. "The harvest is still far off and a lot can still happen", said Yannik Einhellinger from the Saale-Unstrut Winegrowers' Association. Normally, grapes are harvested from late August or early September. According to the association's own statements, a harvest loss of 80% is expected for this year.
The weather has caused immense damage to the grapevines in the past months. "Due to extreme frost damage that affected the entire Saale-Unstrut region, we had to hope for a second sprouting", so Einhellinger. However, only very few shoots have grown. A shoot is referred to as a "Geschleit" in the vineyard. The grape harvest usually lasts for six to eight weeks.
However, according to the association spokesman, certain grape varieties, such as Souvignier gris, have achieved better results and higher yields. "The rainy weeks promoted strong growth, so vine pruning took priority. In addition, the pressure of fungal diseases was very high, but our winegrowers have masterfully coped with this challenge."
Despite the challenging weather conditions, some resilient grape varieties in Saxony-Anhalt, like Souvignier gris, have managed to yield positively. The rainy weeks facilitated strong growth, necessitating prioritization of vine pruning. Regardless of the high fungal disease pressure, skilled winemakers in the region have successfully managed this challenge.
The anticipated harvest loss in Saxony-Anhalt's winemaking sector, as reported by the Saale-Unstrut Winegrowers' Association, remains a significant concern for local vineyard owners. The extreme frost damage affecting the entire region required the hope for a second sprouting, but only limited shoots, or "Geschleit," emerged.
With harvest time still several weeks away, the uncertainty for winegrowers in Saxony-Anhalt remains. While there are some positive signs, such as the Souvignier gris variety, the overall outlook for this year's grape harvest in the Unstrut region is bleak, with an expected loss of 80%.
