The cooperative Winzer von Baden in Wiesloch has announced that it will file for insolvency. This is reported by the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung. About 900 member winemakers, nearly 590 hectares of vineyard area, and 45 employees are affected. The cooperative cites declining wine consumption as the main cause. Additionally, according to the company, increased costs for energy, packaging, and logistics have burdened ongoing operations. These could not be offset by higher selling prices.

There were apparently significant liquidity problems. According to information from the Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, which cites an economic data provider, there was reportedly a loss of around 1.1 million euros with liabilities of about 6.8 million euros. These figures have not yet been confirmed by the cooperative. Furthermore, payments of grape money to member winemakers have been postponed multiple times. Additional economic losses occurred due to the exit of several affiliated winemaker cooperatives. In 2025, Kürnbach and Sulzfeld joined the Badischer Winzerkeller in Breisach, and in April of this year, the winemaker cooperative Zeutern also switched to the Markgräfler winemakers.

According to the cooperative, business operations are initially set to continue. The processing of grapes harvested in the autumn is also planned, provided that financing can be secured in the insolvency proceedings. The wages of the 45 employees are to be initially secured through insolvency benefits.

For the member winemakers, there is now primarily uncertainty about the upcoming grape harvest. They can continue to deliver their grapes to the cooperative, provided that business operations are continued. Alternatively, they can also look for other buyers, as long as contracts and deadlines allow, for example, by switching to another cooperative or selling to private wineries. It is also unclear when outstanding grape payments will be made. Claims that have already arisen would be treated as insolvency claims in the insolvency proceedings.

(ru – Image: wikipedia/Winzer von Baden eG))

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