German authorities are investigating a sophisticated grape heist that has affected producers in the Rheinhessen wine region. Thieves have reportedly stolen nearly all the ripe Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc grapes from two vineyards over an area of 8,000 square meters in the Gundheim district. The theft was discovered by harvesting teams who arrived to find the grapes missing, leading to significant economic losses estimated at several thousand euros for the affected winemakers.
Local police in Worms noted that the operation appeared professional, with the culprits likely utilizing a large vehicle to transport the stolen grapes. The theft is believed to have taken place sometime between September 6 and 14, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Alzey police station.
In addition to the incidents in Germany, reports have surfaced concerning similar grape thefts in France’s Burgundy and Champagne regions. In Burgundy, some winemakers noticed portions of their harvest went missing, leading to suspicions of theft rather than accidents. One winery, Domaine Vincent Latour, reported losing around 2.8 tonnes of Chardonnay, prompting them to believe that the grapes were deliberately harvested by someone else. Their initial assumption of an accident was reassessed after further investigation.
In response to the rising incidents of grape theft, some growers in Champagne have formed a night watch group to protect their vines, supplementing existing vineyard patrols by local authorities. This reflects growing concerns within the wine community over the potential for significant losses as the harvest season approaches.
For updates on this developing story, follow: