© Christian Schmit
An exceptionally fruitful harvest is underway across the country, as winemakers celebrate one of the earliest and most promising picking seasons in recent memory.
Thanks to ideal climate conditions throughout the growing season, vineyards are seeing early ripening and high-quality yields. Harvesting of early-ripening grape varieties has already begun at several wineries, or is set to start in the coming days.
While this early timeline is unusual, it is not entirely unprecedented, according to Raymond Kohll, a winemaker based in Ehnen. Kohll continued: ”In recent years, due to climate change, the weather has actually become favourable for growing red wine. The grapes are ripening extremely early, and we're consistently getting top quality [...] we're happy that the grapes are so healthy at the moment and that we can bring them in while they're still in good condition.”
Before the harvest can fully begin, a flurry of preparation is taking place behind the scenes. Machinery and equipment used for picking must be thoroughly inspected and serviced, while wine cellars are undergoing detailed checks. Hygiene is paramount in this phase, as clean and controlled conditions are crucial to ensuring the purity and success of the fermentation process.
