Apple Harvest 2024: Perfectly Ripened Variety by Variety

October and then until mid or even late November \u2013 that is how long we harvest in our mountain apple orchards. The first apple is our Rouge, to which we also dedicate this edition\u2019s variety portrait. And the last apple we harvest is Wintercalville, which tolerates lower temperatures well.

Precise Planning & Forced Pauses

The harvest process is precisely organised. One variety after another is harvested as soon as it reaches its optimal degree of ripeness. Rain interrupts the harvest; we are not too fond of it at this time of year. What happens when we pause? The apples know no pause and continue to ripen. Up to a certain point, this can be an advantage. But we prefer to determine ourselves when the apples are ready to yield the perfect juice.

Frost & a Wet Spring

As apple farmers, the weather is always a topic for us. Spring 2024 gave us headaches with a late frost. Such a frost can destroy many blossoms \u2013 and thus potential apples. The harvest volume can then be at risk. But we were lucky and got off with a black eye. After that, spring delighted us \u2013 and especially our apples: they prefer it cool and can handle plenty of rain. Perfect preparation for the hot summer. A hailstorm was too light to damage the leaves, the lungs of the tree. If the leaves are damaged, it also affects the fruit, which is crucial for the continuation of vegetation.

Summer, Sun, Sunburn

Sunburn was also not a problem this summer. Our apples have less trouble with it anyway, because due to our altitude they remain comparatively smaller and lighter. This means the leaves can still shade them even when fully ripe. Sunburn in apples is not just a cosmetic problem; it also damages the flesh underneath. The apples are then unusable by our quality standards.

The Most Exciting Time

Harvest time is always exciting. Even now, the weather can throw a spanner in the works and upend the harvest plan. Hail would be especially bad now, because ripe apples are softer and can be damaged more quickly. Let us knock on apple wood that everything runs smoothly. By mid to late November, when we celebrate the conclusion, all varieties will already be in bottles and ready to enjoy.