September in Germany heralds the arrival of the harvest season, a time when the vineyards come alive with the buzz of activity. This year, I was fortunate to immerse myself in this unique cultural experience, participating in not just one but three grape harvests in Stuttgart and nearby Esslingen. My third harvest led me to Zaisseri Weingnut, a wine garden nestled along the picturesque Württemberger Weinradweg. With its water activities and a small beach, this area offers a unique blend of nature and culture, making it a must-visit location in Stuttgart.

*Volunteers harvesting grapes at Zaisseri Weingnut*

The Zaiß family has been crafting wine on the slopes of the Neckar for 400 years. In 2009, Andreas Zaiß took over and prides himself on the continued quality and growth of the winery. His modo is “Natural winemaking with unmistakable character.” Andreas balances tradition with the new, incorporating things learned from trips to Australia, California, and South Africa. His obligation still remains to produce top-quality German wines.

Red grape varieties

39% Trollinger

10% Lemberg

5% Pinot Noir and velvet red

2% Dornfelder

4% Cabernet grape varieties

White grape varieties

26% Riesling

9% Grey Burgundy

5% Müller-Thurgau

*Full container of Riesling grapes! Estimated a few hundred bottles of wine*

Harvesting Grapes

I found this grape harvest through Maria of Really Grape. We arrived at Zaisseri Weingnut at 9:00 and were greeted by Andreas with a welcome glass of Trollinger Rose. The wine was not too sweet, crisp, and delicious. As we waited for everyone to arrive, we sipped our drinks, chatting before we hopped in the shuttle van that would take us up to the vineyard for a few hours of harvesting Riesling grapes.

*Volunteer clipping grapes from the vines*

Miraculously, all three days of grape harvesting were sunny and beautiful for me here in Germany (which is seriously so lucky in the land of rain). They will not harvest the grapes in the rain because if they sit in the rainwater after harvesting, it can affect the outcome of the wine. We spent two and a half hours cutting Riesling grapes from the vines by hand, which is for quality at Zaisseri Weingnut since the rows were nice and flat to work along. Other vineyards, “Weinhaus,” as the Germans call them, are located on steep hills, which makes harvesting the grapes by machine impossible. Many wineries rely on the help of volunteers like myself and family members to harvest grapes along these slopes during harvest season.

After filling one large container with fresh grapes from the vines, we were shuttled back to the wine garden to enjoy a traditional German lunch with a few more wines. The day was a perfect blend of work and pleasure. If you find yourself in Germany during harvest season (typically mid/late September to early October, depending on the weather), I cannot recommend this experience enough. Grab your spouse or friend and enjoy a day of learning and work, and the reward of an earned glass (or two) of wine when finished.

Tips for Enjoying the Experience!

Wear jeans or thicker pants. The first slopes I worked had briars and tiny prickly pieces of shrub that embedded into my leggings. Jeans are a much safer route!
Layer your tops. Mornings can be chilly, but by noon if the sun is out it can get pretty hot.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, gloves and water.
Wear hiking boots to work on the slopes. The hills are steep and you want sturdy footwear to support you.
Come prepared to work hard, this is manual labor!
Use the restroom before heading into the vineyard, there are not restrooms among the vines (unless you love using nature’s bathroom)

If you are interested in joining future harvests, check out this Facebook group or follow Really Grape for upcoming wine events across Germany.

Grape Harvest Experience in Stuttgart, Germany

Speak Up, Work Hard & Acquiesce with Grace

A New Generation of Haenyeo