German winegrowers report early harvest with high quality

Viticulture associations in the German regions of Rheingau and Bergstraße report a historically early grape harvest for 2026. Due to a prolonged dry summer, harvesting in some areas began as early as mid-August.

While the early start is noted, industry representatives indicate that the berries are relatively small due to the dry weather. However, there is high satisfaction regarding quality. In the Rheingau, the average must weight for Riesling is reported to be at a very good level, comparable to the previous year. In the Bergstraße region, although yields and grape sizes are lower on average than in the prior year, winemakers remain satisfied with the quality of the crop.