German Wine Harvest Falls 10% Below Decade Average After September Rains

German wine producers are reporting a smaller harvest than initially expected this year, according to the German Wine Institute (DWI) in Bodenheim. The main reason for the lower yield is heavy rainfall in September, which forced growers to pick grapes quickly and discard many affected by the weather.

The DWI estimates that the 2025 wine harvest will produce less than 8 million hectoliters of grape must, which is about the same as last year’s total of 7.8 million hectoliters. This figure is roughly 10 percent below the average of the past ten years, which stands at 8.7 million hectoliters. Early in the season, expectations were higher, but the combination of an unusually early harvest and significant rainfall changed the outlook.

Ernst Büscher, a spokesperson for the DWI, explained that the early harvest led to smaller berries and a lower juice yield. When heavy rain hit in mid-September—up to 100 liters per square meter in some areas—growers had to act quickly. Many grapes were removed from the harvest to maintain quality.

The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) had previously estimated a larger harvest. Based on data from September 20, Destatis projected a yield of 8.2 million hectoliters, which would have been a five percent increase over last year. However, the DWI’s latest figures suggest that the final result will be lower than this estimate.

Last year’s harvest was already considered small, coming in 12 percent below the six-year average from 2018 to 2023. Even with better growing conditions in 2025, Destatis expected this year’s harvest to be slightly below the six-year average from 2019 to 2024.

More than half of Germany’s wine production comes from its largest regions: Rheinhessen and the Pfalz, which are expected to produce 2.2 million and 2 million hectoliters respectively. Baden and Württemberg together account for another quarter of the total, with 1.2 million and 911,000 hectoliters.

The figures from Destatis are based on preliminary estimates and could still change depending on weather, plant diseases, or pests. The DWI’s downward revision reflects the impact of this year’s weather on the harvest.

Despite the smaller quantity, the DWI reports that the quality of the 2025 vintage is promising. Growers who managed to harvest healthy grapes expect good wines from this year’s crop. The combination of smaller berries and careful selection during harvest is likely to result in concentrated flavors and high-quality wines, according to industry experts.