On Saturday, August 17, 2024, Vienna's Döbling district experienced an extreme weather event that has made history. A record-breaking 110 liters of rain per square meter fell in just a few hours, the highest summer rainfall ever recorded in the area.
The torrential downpour led to partial flooding in the northern part of the capital, while hailstorms inflicted severe damage on Vienna's renowned vineyards, particularly in the Nussberg region.
Impact on Vienna's Vineyards
The storm's aftermath has been devastating for Vienna's vineyards, with around 100 hectares affected by the hail, particularly in the lower Nussberg area. The Gollin and Mitterberg vineyards were the hardest hit, with significant damage reported. The nearby Grinzing vineyards also suffered minor losses, though not as extensively. The damage assessment remains ongoing, as many of the grapes affected were still in their green stages when the storm hit, making the full extent of the damage unclear for the next few days.
The timing of the storm could not have been worse. The grapes in these vineyards were already nearing full ripeness, placing them in a highly vulnerable state. According to the Austrian Hail Insurance (ÖHV), which conducted initial surveys, the total damage to Vienna’s wine-growing sector is estimated to be around EUR 500,000. Given that Vienna's total vineyard area is about 580 hectares, the 100 hectares impacted by the storm represent a substantial portion of the city’s wine production.
A Critical Moment for the 2024 Harvest
The 2024 harvest, which was already anticipated to be one of the earliest in history due to favorable growing conditions earlier in the year, is now in jeopardy. Gerhard Lobner, managing director of Mayer am Pfarrplatz, one of Vienna’s most prestigious wineries, expressed deep concern over the timing and severity of the hailstorm. According to Lobner, the hail could cause pockets of rot to develop on the ripe grapes, potentially compromising the quality of the entire harvest. He noted that if the storm had occurred six weeks earlier, the damage would have been far less severe, as the grapes would have been less ripe and more resilient.
Despite the severe damage, Lobner remains cautiously optimistic. He explained that while the grapes in many areas were hit hard, some of the damage might be mitigated by dry weather conditions in the days following the storm. If the weather holds, and with a selective harvest, there is hope that the quality of the wine can still be preserved, though the quantity is expected to be lower than initially projected.
Widespread Consequences of the Storm
The extreme weather event on August 17 did not only impact the vineyards. Across Vienna, the record-breaking rainfall led to widespread flooding, particularly in streets and underpasses. The Hohe Warte weather station reported even higher levels of rainfall, reaching 140 liters per square meter. The sudden and intense nature of the storm overwhelmed the city's infrastructure, leading to flash floods that trapped residents and caused significant disruption. One tragic incident involved a woman who was washed under a bus and is now fighting for her life.
While the vineyards were spared from massive erosion due to effective soil management and planting techniques, the hailstorm’s damage to the grapes was widespread and severe. Lobner estimates that 30 to 40 hectares of the Mayer am Pfarrplatz winery alone were affected, with damage varying between five to over 50 percent depending on the location. A more precise assessment of the damage will only be possible in the coming days as the full impact becomes visible.
A Challenging Road Ahead for Vienna's Winemakers
Vienna's winemakers are no strangers to dealing with the challenges of extreme weather, but the scale and timing of this storm present unique difficulties. Lobner and his team at Mayer am Pfarrplatz, like many other winemakers in the region, are preparing for a selective harvest to salvage what they can from the damaged vineyards. The outcome of this year's wine production remains uncertain, with the possibility of lower yields and the risk of compromised quality due to the damage sustained.
Source: Der-Winzer, Vinaria