Grape thieves strike: 8,000 square meters of vines cleared!

Grape thieves strike: 8,000 square meters of vines cleared!

What's going on in the vineyards of Rhineland-Palatinate? In a scandalous incident, thieves cleared out two vineyards in Gundheim near Worms and stole almost all of the grapes that were ready for harvest. The crime apparently took place between September 6th and 14th, 2025, with the winemakers only noticing the theft when they were about to start harvesting, reports star.

The two affected winegrowers suffered significant economic damage, estimated at several thousand euros. The thieves sneaked into an area of ​​around 8,000 square meters where only the Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc varieties were mined. The police describe the perpetrators as extremely professional, as considerable logistical effort was obviously involved. Investigators even suspect that at least one larger vehicle or several means of transport were used to transport the grapes.

Report on the incident

The incidents have alerted the police in Alzey, who are now looking for witnesses who may have seen suspicious vehicles or people near the vineyards. “Every tip could be crucial,” said a police spokesman. Witnesses are asked to call 06731-9110 Mainzund.

As tragic as this incident is, it adds to an increasingly alarming situation for farmers in Germany, who are increasingly suffering from theft. According to a recent study, farmers often do not trust the police and underestimate the chances of success in investigations. Many people refrain from reporting thefts because they don't consider the effort worth it. They often do not realize that their damage is not covered by insurance, and the stolen goods are usually never recovered. This also confirms agricultural today.

Need for action?

The affected winegrowers and many other farmers are calling for increased police presence and tougher action against such crime. Over 60% of respondents believe random patrols would improve security. Given the numerous responses, experts point to a clear need for action to restore farmers' trust in law enforcement. It's obvious: there's still something going on!

The passionate winemakers hope for support and a solution to prevent future incidents of this kind and protect their valuable harvest.