Austrian grape harvest later than usual, with average yields expected

Austria’s wine grape harvest will take place later than usual due to cool weather earlier in the year which hindered the development of the vines.  

According to the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association, moderate winter moisture was followed by cool spells interspersed by warmer periods in March and April, with most vines not budding until late April. Cool weather which followed in May delayed growth, which was actually beneficial in terms of the risk of a late frost. As a result, flowering took place in mid-June, when high temperatures boosted the vines maturity.  

“After the economically turbulent years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Austria’s winemakers are looking forward to this year’s vintage,” said Johannes Schmuckenschlager, president of Austria’s Winegrowers' Association, adding that an average harvest in the region of 2.4 million hectolitres is being predicted, in line with last year’s yield  

“The rather cool weather in the first half of the year also came with some advantages,” he added. “The grapevines were late developing, which significantly reduced the risk of damage as a result of late frosts. Other European winegrowing regions weren’t as lucky. Large parts of France and Italy, and some areas of Germany, suffered considerable damage because of late frosts, which, all in all, will have an impact on the European wine market this year.”  

From June onwards, high temperatures and heavy downpours became a challenge, with heavy hail in the Weinviertel severely damaging around 1,000 hectares of vineyards on 24 June, while July saw much heat and rain.   “Significant” hailstorms occurred in many winegrowing regions, such as the Wachau, Wien, Mittelburgenland, Südsteiermark and Vulkanland, and heavy rain in the Kremstal and Traisental regions led to considerable run-off.  

The high rainfall and warm temperatures resulting in serious fungal attacks meant particular care was needed in the vineyards. However, despite these difficulties, the heat and moisture promoted growth, and speeded up the ripening process of the grapes, so despite late budding and flowering the grapes are largely at the same stage or ripening as in previous years.  

And Austrian Winegrowers’ says that the wines from this years vintage are expected to be “fruity and harmonious”.   “Winegrowers are now hoping for a warm, dry autumn so that they can harvest fully ripe, harmonious wines……Aside from early picking for grape juice and Sturm (partially fermented grape must) production, harvesting will begin in the area around Lake Neusiedl in the first half of September and in many other areas around mid-September. In most regions, the main harvest will take place in late September, early October,” said Schmuckenschlager.  

Photography: Chapel in the vineyard © ÖWM / Carletto