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Baden-Württemberg overhauls wine laws with new funding and stricter rules

Winemakers gain more funding but face harsher penalties for neglect. How will the new rules reshape Germany’s vineyards? A closer look at the sweeping changes.

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
On table there is a bottle and glass with wine. Far there are trees and buildings.
On table there is a bottle and glass with wine. Far there are trees and buildings.

Baden-Württemberg overhauls wine laws with new funding and stricter rules

Baden-Württemberg has updated its Wine Law Ordinance, bringing significant changes for vineyard owners and winemakers. The new rules cover funding for pest control, replanting deadlines, and stricter measures for neglected plots. Many adjustments aim to simplify processes while tightening environmental and administrative standards.

Funding for pheromone use in viticulture has seen major revisions. The subsidy rate has doubled to €200 per hectare annually, with costs for dispenser deployment now eligible. The minimum area required for applications has also dropped to 1.25 hectares. Starting in 2026, pheromone associations will face fewer bureaucratic hurdles, as invoices will no longer need submission and deadlines for applications will extend.

Replanting rules have been relaxed, with growers now allowed to apply for planting permits up until the end of the fifth winegrowing season after clearing a plot. However, stricter controls apply to rootstocks—only those certified as phylloxera-resistant by the Julius Kühn Institute may be used. If vines become infested with a Union quarantine pest or are planted on susceptible rootstocks, immediate and permanent removal is now mandatory.

The ordinance also targets abandoned vineyards, known locally as Drieschen. Local authorities can now order the clearance of plots neglected for two or more consecutive years. Failure to comply with these orders will be classified as an administrative offence. Additionally, wineries will no longer need to submit reports on oenological practices, reducing paperwork for producers.

The changes introduce both flexibility and stricter oversight for vineyard management. Growers will benefit from increased funding and longer replanting windows, while facing tougher penalties for neglect or non-compliance. The updated rules take effect immediately, with further simplifications for pheromone associations set for 2026.

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