The Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI), based in Bodenheim, Rhineland, has reported that Germany’s 2025 grape harvest is smaller than expected, with wine must production estimated to fall below 8 million hectoliters.
This outcome is nearly identical to last year’s harvest of 7.8 million hectoliters, and represents a 10% decline compared to the ten-year average of 8.7 million hectoliters.
According to the DWI, the reduced yield is primarily due to two factors. Firstly, the unusually early start of the harvest resulted in smaller grapes and lower juice yields. Secondly, heavy rains in mid-September—with some areas recording up to 100 liters per square meter—forced producers to accelerate the harvest, leading to the loss of a significant proportion of grape bunches.
Forecast Revisions Reflect the Challenging Season
On September 20, the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) had projected a more optimistic figure of 8.2 million hectoliters, which would have represented a 5% increase compared to 2024. However, after the completion of the harvest, the DWI revised these expectations downward, confirming that the final volume will remain below 8 million hectoliters.
In 2024, German wine production was already subdued, standing 12% below the six-year average of 8.9 million hectoliters. Although weather conditions were slightly more favorable this year, Destatis had already anticipated a harvest lower than the 2019–2024 average of 8.5 million hectoliters, underlining the structural challenges faced by the sector.
Regional Breakdown of the 2025 Harvest
More than half of this year’s production comes from Germany’s two largest wine-growing regions. Rheinhessen accounts for approximately 2.2 million hectoliters, while the Palatinate (Pfalz) contributes around 2 million hectoliters. Together, they form the backbone of German viticulture.
The regions of Baden and Württemberg also make significant contributions, with estimated productions of 1.2 million hectoliters and 911,000 hectoliters, respectively. Collectively, these four regions represent roughly three-quarters of the national total.
The figures published by Destatis are based on its second estimate from September 20 and remain subject to adjustments depending on post-harvest evaluations, weather developments, and the potential appearance of plant diseases or pests.
High Quality Despite Reduced Quantity
Despite the overall decline in yield, the DWI reports a positive outlook for wine quality. According to Ernst Büscher, spokesperson for the institute, “the early harvest and strict selection during picking have ensured healthy grapes with excellent characteristics for winemaking.”
This suggests that while volumes may be lower than anticipated, German producers can expect wines of very good quality, characterized by freshness, balance, and purity—traits that continue to define Germany’s reputation for premium white and sparkling wines.
As the sector adapts to increasingly variable climatic conditions, 2025 stands as another reminder of the delicate balance between quantity and quality that defines modern German viticulture.
Source: Vinetur