Severe Frost Damage Halts Eiswein Production in Key German Regions

Winemakers in Saxony and Saale-Unstrut report no Eiswein for the 2024 season due to drastically reduced grape harvests from spring frosts.

Spring frosts in 2024 caused significant grape yield losses, with some vineyards reporting up to a 90% reduction in harvests.
Major producers in Saxony, including Schloss Wackerbarth and Schloss Proschwitz, prioritized quality wines over Eiswein production due to limited grape availability.
No Eiswein will be produced in the Saale-Unstrut region this season, marking a stark contrast to previous years when up to 13 winemakers participated in its production.
Eiswein, a rare and highly sought-after sweet wine, requires grapes to freeze on the vine at temperatures of at least -7°C before pressing.
Winemakers faced high risks in leaving grapes on vines for potential Eiswein production, opting instead to use all available harvests for other wine categories.