September marks one of the most important times of the year for Luxembourg's winegrowers as the grape harvest begins. RTL's Dany Rasqué visited some of the vineyards as they prepare to start picking.

While some of the wineries have already begun picking their grapes, others are still gearing up in anticipation for the perfect moment. Each winery decides on the timing of its harvest based on the quality of the grapes and weather conditions.

Listen to the report in Luxembourgish:

D'Drauwelies ass lancéiert / Reportage Dany Rasqué

Isabelle Gales, who runs one of the wineries along the Moselle, is set to start her harvest this Monday. Despite some of the challenges earlier this year, Gales seems optimistic about the 2024 year.

"The grapes look promising despite the few bumps along the way, caused by early frost and heavy rainfall."

To ensure a high-quality wine, the harvest has to be completed within the next four weeks, in precise order. "We start by harvesting the grapes for our Crémant," Gales explains, "as these wines need a certain acidity to achieve the desired freshness".

Isabelle and her brother, who run the winery together, are supported by a team of 25 seasonal workers. "Our team comes from all over. Some come from the Grande Region, others from further afield. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and experienced group."

Indeed, given the team's long-standing loyalty and experience, they can start harvesting right away without any extensive training.