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In the well-known vineyard site Nussberg in the north of Vienna, a heavy hailstorm on Saturday, August 17, damaged around 100 hectares of vines. This accounts for more than 15 percent of the total vineyard area in Vienna, which is 580 hectares. Record precipitation of 110 liters per square meter fell with the thunderstorm cell, flooding underpasses and entire street sections. One person was seriously injured.
Especially in the lower part of the Vienna Nussberg, up to half of the vines were affected, most severely the vineyards Gollin and Mitterberg. Many of the already well-ripened grapes were damaged by the hailstones during a very sensitive phase, which could trigger rot. In dry weather, minor damages could dry out on their own. It will be crucial for the winemakers to have a very selective harvest to ensure good quality. However, the harvest volume has definitely been reduced due to the storm. The Austrian hail insurance (ÖHV) estimates the damage at 500,000 euros.
(al / The winemaker)