Perfect conditions for ice wine harvest in the Elbe Valley

Icy cold and yet warm at heart: the ice wine harvest in the Elbe Valley was a success on a starry night with temperatures of minus eight degrees Celsius. "Everything was just right," said Björn Probst, vineyard manager at Schloss Proschwitz, to the German Press Agency. The temperature was already at the prescribed minus 7 degrees at midnight. Then it dropped to minus 8.5 degrees. "Because we then had these temperatures for a long time, the grapes were also frozen through."

Ice wine can only be harvested under special conditions

According to Probst, 633 kilograms of Riesling grapes were harvested. He cannot yet say what will come out of the press. "After the preliminary conditions, which were anything but easy, this is already a great result." A total of 21 people helped with the harvest. The last time there was ice wine in Proschwitz was in 2023 - then from Traminer grapes. "Before that, we had nothing for a very long time." Only around 100 bottles of Traminer were bottled back then. This time, they hope for a little more.

Ice wine harvest requires getting up early

The "Drei Herren" winery on the Boselberg in Coswig also had to get up early. The team set off at 4 a.m. - led by field operations manager Tom Tzschoppe and cellar master Wenzel Ebermann. "Thickly wrapped up and equipped with headlamps, the entire team, our trainee and around fifteen motivated harvest helpers gathered together so as not to miss this rare and historic event for our winery," the winery announced.

Grapes in excellent condition

The "Drei Herren" had also left Riesling grapes hanging - in the hope that the temperatures would drop below minus seven degrees. In previous years, similar attempts had failed: "It was either too warm or too wet, the hanging grapes spoiled before a harvest was possible," it was said. But this year, a stable fall and the early onset of winter provided the perfect moment. "The grapes were in excellent condition; the fresh Riesling acidity formed the ideal balance to the later sweetness of the ice wine."

Thanks to the many helping hands, the harvest only took just over an hour. "A decisive factor for ice wine, because speed is everything," emphasized Tanja Beck-Leyh, sales manager and spokesperson for the winery. Around 350 kilograms of frozen Riesling grapes were harvested. They were then immediately put into the press, as the grapes have to be processed when they are completely frozen. "As soon as they thaw, pressing is no longer possible." It is expected that 75 liters of ice wine will be bottled. However, this will still take a while: The ice wine should mature slowly for around a year and a half.

Ice wine harvest requires frost

Ice wine is considered a rarity by wine connoisseurs. Cold temperatures of at least minus seven degrees are a prerequisite for its production. The frozen grapes are harvested and pressed immediately. The result is a high-quality, noble sweet wine. Ice wine must be harvested by February 28 of the respective harvest year. According to wine law, no more grapes may be used for ice wine production after this date, even if the temperatures are still suitable.