A severe storm has caused significant damage in vineyards and towns in the Southern Palatinate. According to SWR, several wineries in Schweigen-Rechtenbach are particularly affected. Hail, heavy rain, and hurricane-like gusts destroyed a large part of the expected harvest there within a few minutes. The hail insurance has currently reported damages over an area of approximately 260 hectares with an insured sum of about 2 million euros, regional media report.

The Jülg winery writes on Instagram that a supercell destroyed more than 80 percent of its grapes on July 16 at around 6:30 PM. The top sites Kammerberg, Kostert, and Wormberg were particularly hard hit. The vines were damaged to such an extent that the vineyards resembled a "moon landscape," according to the business.

As a result, several thousand working hours have largely been in vain. Until the storm, the employees had completed tasks such as pruning, bending and tying, breaking off shoots, tying, defoliating, and plant protection. The Bernhart winery also reports damage to around 80 percent of its grapes. Large hailstones caused numerous berries to burst. Due to the injuries, they are at risk of turning brown and rotting. The hail was even pushed into the cellar of the business by the storm. The managers Vera Dieterle and Marius Bernhart now hope that the hail insurance will cover a large part of the damage.

To mitigate the economic consequences, the Jülg winery has put together a solidarity package with two VDP local wines from Schweigen. With the purchase, customers are to support the business in coping with the storm damage.

(ru - Image: Jülg Winery)