Is the viticulture of Luxembourg facing potential jeopardy? A survey by the Institute of Viticulture (IVV) reveals that 61% of wine enterprises operated by individuals aged over 50 lack a succession strategy. The predominant factors given include an uncertain future and the absence of willing successors to take over the business, as reported by the publication Luxembourg Wort.
In just 2024, nearly 20 hectares of vineyards in Luxembourg have remained uncultivated. Looking forward, there could be up to 100 hectares abandoned in the Grand Duchy—a „dramatic perspective,” remarked Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen (CSV) to Luxemburger Wort.
„Even if we don’t end up losing all 100 hectares, several hectares of vineyards along the Moselle will undoubtedly fade away,” stated Jeff Konsbrück, president of the Fonds de solidarité viti-vinicole and vice-president of the private winemakers’ association. Out of approximately 50 private winemakers, 10 lack a defined succession plan.
One case is organic winemaker Jean-Paul Krier from Bech-Kleinmacher, whose family has been cultivating vineyards on the Moselle since 1590. Last summer, he informed Virgule that he would be the final generation in his family to produce wine there; his children have expressed no desire to continue the legacy.
While Konsbrück acknowledged such instances, he cautioned against making broad generalizations. „It largely depends on the type of profession,” he remarked. „Today’s youth have more chances to pursue education, which is a positive aspect. They are finding careers that captivate them more than taking over a vineyard. Our profession is physically demanding and requires weekend work.”
**Support for Winemakers in the Restructuring Process**
During a recent discussion between winemakers and Agriculture Minister Hansen, numerous initiatives were suggested to address vineyard neglect.
According to a ministry press release, subsidies for vineyard conversion and restructuring will be augmented to aid in revitalizing the sector. Winemakers interested in changing grape varieties will also benefit from financial assistance.
Hansen expressed her intent to review the pertinent Grand Duchy regulations by year’s end: the existing aid ranges from 3,500 to 30,000 euros.
A new „sanitary financial aid” will also be launched to assist those who stop wine production but continue land maintenance, a strategy designed to keep vineyards healthy and inhibit disease proliferation.
Winemakers will be able to register such vineyards on an online platform dedicated to the Moselle region, which is currently being developed.
**Wine Consumption Decline**
„Wine consumption has diminished in Luxembourg, yet the proportion of Luxembourg wine in total consumption has stayed stable. This is encouraging,” stated Hansen.
Konsbrück observed that, on average, Luxembourg residents consume around nine liters of Luxembourg wine and 40 liters of international wine annually. „This disparity is partly due to the cosmopolitan character of the population—people often favor wines from their countries of origin,” he added.
