Why is harvesting in Germany considered a protracted process?

Harvesting in Germany is considered a protracted process primarily because grapes are picked for different Prädikatswein levels at varying degrees of ripeness. The German wine classification system includes various designations based on the sugar content of the grapes at harvest, such as Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, and others, which reflect differing levels of sweetness and ripeness.

This necessitates multiple passes through the vineyard as some grapes may need to be left on the vine longer to achieve the desired level of ripeness for higher-quality wines. Consequently, the harvesting process is leisurely and can span several weeks or even months, allowing winemakers to pick grapes at optimal ripeness for the style they aim to create.

In contrast, a single harvest for all grapes would not allow for this customization and precision, nor would harvesting grapes at the same sugar ripeness. While harvesting during daylight hours is standard practice for safety and quality reasons, it doesn't inherently contribute to the protracted nature of the process in the context of ripeness levels and quality differentiation.