Germany’s winegrowers expect an improved harvest this year compared to 2025, according to preliminary government figures.
Early data issued by the Destatis government agency suggests a harvest of eight million hectolitres in 2026, up 5% on last year.
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However, a statement from the German Wine Institute (DWI) suggests the 2026 vintage will come in below last year’s 7.7 million hectolitres.
Just Drinks has asked the DWI for its thoughts on way, so far, the estimates differ,
Either way, Germany’s vineyards, in common with many wine-growing countries across Europe, suffered amid the heatwaves that hit much of the continent this summer.
Destatis said the lack of water meant the grapes are “relatively small”, which has affected the expected harvest volumes.
The agency said its estimates indicate 70% of the harvest will be white wine. Its data follow estimates presented on 20 September.
Destatis said the overall yield, based on the estimates in so far, would mean the 2026 harvest is 4% lower than the average from 2020 to 2025.
Meanwhile, the “initial forecast” issued by the DWI suggests the 2026 yield will be 20% below the average for the last ten years, which stands at 8.7m hectolitres.
“Yields varied considerably within the regions, depending on the age of the vines and the water retention capacity of the soils,” the DWI said in a statement.
“Older vines, in particular, have adapted to the increasing drought in wine-growing regions in recent years and, thanks to their deep roots, survived this year’s drought remarkably well. Younger vineyards and those on lighter soils, on the other hand, visibly suffered from the water scarcity. They had to be irrigated where possible.”
