Pálava, Podyjí, Mělnicko: Discover the Czech and Moravian wines worth knowing
Bystřický Winery, Bořetice
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
With care and consideration for the future of the land, husband and wife team Anička and Vojtěch Bystřický cultivate red grape varieties at their winery in Bořetice, producing pure, velvety wines from the Frankovka, Zweigeltrebe, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Svatovavřinecké varieties, as well as various cuvées.
Where to taste their wine:
- Bokovka
- Čestr. Here, you can also enjoy the house cuvée, which Vojtěch Bystřický produces exclusively for the restaurant.
Bidule
Moravia Wine Region, Slovácko Subregion
At Zdeněk Omasta’s winery they devote most of their energy to sparkling wines. The winery’s name also comes from the production process — a bidule is the tool used to collect the remaining sedimented yeast in the neck of the bottle just before disgorgement.
Where to taste their wine:
- Bokovka
- Čestr
- Kuchyň
- Marie B
- U Kalendů
Gala & Malý pán, Bavory
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
Jaromír and Alžběta Gala’s family winery is located in the village of Bavory, nestled among the Pálava hills. Sheep, horses, and cows graze in the vineyards where grapes for still and sparkling wines ripen. And because the Gala family is truly close to nature, in the summer of 2026 they created a new project, a farm with a roadside inn. At Malý pán, you can stay overnight, have breakfast, dine, or do all three.
Where to taste the wine:
- Biskup
- Bokovka
- Brasileiro Slovanský dům
- Čestr
- Kuchyň
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
- Štangl
- U Kalendů
Herzán Wines, Kobylí
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
In Kobylí, siblings Jakub and Zuzana Herzán run the winery together with Jakub’s wife, Sandra. Their small family winery is based on an ecological approach, biodiversity, and minimal intervention both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Their flagship varieties are Grüner Veltliner and Frankovka, but their wines aged in amphorae and their unfiltered wines are also worth trying.
Where to taste the wine:
- Bokovka
- Vinograf
- HokusPokus Wine
Klobása Winery, Nikolčice
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
A small winery in Nikolčice that stands out mainly for its distinctive approach and small batch production. You’ll find Klobása Winery in the Velkopavlovice region, where vineyards, almond trees, and the open landscape of South Moravia blend together. It’s exactly the kind of place worth visiting to meet the winemaker, taste his current wines, and hear him talk about them.
Monology, Rakvice
Moravia wine region, Velkopavlovice subregion
Karla Oliva’s project — her first bottled wine — was launched at the turn of 2022-23. In addition to tending the vineyards, Karla also cares for goats, geese, and other farm animals.
Where to taste the wine:
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
- Marie B
- Kuchyň
Nepraš & Co., Pavlov
Moravia wine region, Mikulov subregion
In Pavlov, at the foot of Pálava, the Nepraš family has been producing wine since 2012. Radomír Nepraš was previously involved in the founding of the Reisten winery, and also established the National Wine Centre and the Salon vín competition. Today, the family winery cultivates its own vineyards using organic methods and, above all, allows the wines time to mature. The white wines ferment and age for many months in large oak barrels, which lend them complexity without overpowering the character of the variety or the terroir. You can sample primarily Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Chardonnay, and Riesling, as well as original cuvées and wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Where to taste the wine:
- Bokovka
- Vinograf
- Café Savoy
- Field
- Kuchyň
How do things work at the winery?
It’s often an experience lasting several hours, during which you’ll get to know the winemaker, sample their wines, and understand local traditions. Here's what to expect.
- Make arrangements in advance. You usually can’t just drop by smaller wineries unannounced. Be sure to book your tasting in advance.
- The winemaker will guide you. You’ll learn about the vineyards, the winemaking process, and the individual wines. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — personal interaction with the winemaker is one of the best parts of the experience.
- Tasting is done in stages. Usually, you’ll start with lighter, dry wines and move on to fuller-bodied, sweeter, or aged wines. The winemaker will explain what you’re tasting.
- You don’t have to finish your glass. If you’re tasting a large number of samples, feel free to use the decanter.
- A little something to nibble on comes in handy. A visit to the wine cellar usually includes light refreshments, often cheese, cold cuts, bread, or local specialties. For longer tastings, a full menu may even be prepared.
- Plan to make a purchase. If you like the wine, you can usually buy it on the spot. You’ll often find bottles directly at the winery that aren’t typically available in supermarkets.
Nestarec, Velké Bílovice
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
Milan Nestarec is one of those winemakers who demonstrate that Moravian wine can be completely different from what you might imagine. In Velké Bílovice, he produces natural wines from organically farmed vineyards, spontaneously fermented and unfiltered. His wines are now known even beyond the borders of the Czech Republic, and you can find them in good wine bars from Europe all the way to Japan. Their character comes not only from the grape varieties and the soil, but also from Milan’s distinctive approach, the names, and the striking labels.
Where to taste the wine:
- Veltlin
- Bokovka
- Alma
- Vinograf
Mirka Nestarcová – MIRA, Velké Bílovice
Moravia Wine Region, Velké Pavlovice Subregion
Alongside Milan Nestarec, another wine is being produced in Velké Bílovice. MIRA is a winery within a winery, led by Milan’s wife, Mirka Nestarcová. Originally a ballerina and dancer, she brings a freer, more creative, and somewhat artistic approach to winemaking. She and Milan tend the vineyards together, but each creates wines in their own style. Mirka works with varieties such as Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc, allowing the wine to develop as naturally as possible. Most of the vines are managed with minimal or no pruning, and the wines ferment spontaneously and age in wood and concrete.
Where to taste the wine:
- Bokovka
- Vinograf
Plenér, Pavlov
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
Dominika Černohorská’s vineyards are located on the limestone slopes of Pálava around the villages of Bavory, Klentnice, Pavlov, and Úvaly u Valtic. Using organic methods, Dominika and her team cultivate the varieties Ryzlink vlašský, Frankovka, Sylván, Ryzlink rýnský, as well as the Burgundian varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery itself is located in the heart of Pavlov, and you can visit it by appointment.
Where to taste the wine:
- Marie B
Prameny, Polešovice
Moravia wine region, Slovácko subregion
Tomáš Cileček’s wines reflect the climate of the Uherské Hradiště region. Lower rainfall, wind patterns, and autumn fogs provide the perfect growing conditions for the local Riesling. The vineyards stretch between the banks of the Morava River and the Chřiby Mountains, in areas where the history of wine production dates back to the early 13th century.
Where to taste the wine:
- Kuchyň
- Marie B
Springer, Bořetice
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
The Springer family winery (formerly known as Stapleton & Springer) is located in a village where winemaking dates back to 1222. The Springer family’s vines also grow on historic vineyard plots, whose names are often listed on the bottle labels. Jaroslav and his sons work with the Burgundian grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and have been producing certified organic wines since 2007.
Where to taste the wine:
- Čestr
- Kuchyň
- Bokovka
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
- Field
A glimpse into history: The Romans’ first sips in Moravia
- A.D. 200: The earliest records of winemaking in our region date back to the 2nd century, when Marcus Aurelius’s Roman legion was stationed near the village of Mušov in southern Moravia.
- 9th–10th centuries: Wine production flourished during the Great Moravian Empire, when the beverage was used for ceremonial purposes.
- 14th–16th centuries: The area covered by vineyards around towns and monasteries expanded significantly during the reign of Charles IV. That was when a golden age of winemaking, which lasted until the 16th century.
- The turbulent 19th and 20th centuries: Toward the end of the 19th century, specialised viticulture schools began to emerge, and in 1907 the first professional journal, Vinařský obzor was published. The turn of the 19th and 20th centuries brought a decline in vineyards due to a phylloxera pest infestation. At the beginning of the 20th century, interest in winemaking rose again, and with it, the area of vineyards in wine-growing regions expanded. The socialist era then brought growth in vineyards and mechanisation. It also saw the development of grape varieties that we now consider typically Moravian — the white Pálava, Moravian Muscat, and Aurelius, as well as the red André variety, were cultivated for the first time.
Syfany, Vrbice
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
“Grapes from Vrbice, a cooper from Čejkovice, wood from the Ždánice Forest,” reads the website of the Syfany Winery, which couldn’t be more local. The wines are crafted by Jakub Zborovský, who comes from a farming family. In fact, his winery is located on the former grounds of a collective farm.
Where to taste the wine:
- Veltlin
Trejbal, Vysoká
Bohemia wine region, Mělník subregion
To find good wine, you often only need to travel a short distance outside of Prague. In the Mělník region, Tomáš Trejbal cultivates both his own and Moravian grape varieties. His wines reflect the climate of the Mělník and Kokořín regions, which is cooler and milder compared to Moravia. In his wines, you’ll find poetry, punk, and pride.
Where to taste the wine:
- Veltlin
- Bokovka
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
Ota Ševčík, Bořetice
Moravia wine region, Velkopavlovice subregion
Ota Ševčík, one of the founding members of the Autentisté winemakers’ association, believes in minimal intervention and maximum effort in the vineyard. In Bořetice, he cultivates small vineyards using organic methods, harvests the grapes by hand, and allows the wines to ferment spontaneously and age for a long time in oak and acacia barrels. The result is distinctive, small-batch wines in which the terroir, the vintage, and the vineyard itself take centre stage.
Where to taste the wine:
- Vinograf
- La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise
- Bokovka
You might be interested in:
- Wine to go? These are the best wine shops in Prague
- Where to find natural wine in Prague
- The Prague restaurants with exceptionally curated wine lists
- Where to go for a wine tasting in Prague
Wineries with lodging
Gotberg, Popice
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
If you really want to enjoy a Moravian wine tasting, you won’t have to worry about who will drive you back to your hotel afterward. Here, you can stay right at the winery. Seven double rooms offer views of the vineyards, Pálava, and the Mušov Lakes. Your stay includes a guided wine tasting and a tour of the winery.
- 7 double rooms
- views of Pálava and the Novomlýnská Lakes
- wine tasting and winery tour
Gurdau, Kurdějov
Moravia wine region, Velkopavlovice subregion
At Gurdau, wine, architecture, and accommodations come together in one place. The winery offers apartments with garden views, a terrace, and a kitchenette. You can combine your stay with a tour of the winery, wine tasting, and a culinary experience.
- Accommodation right at the winery
- Breakfast
- Wine tasting and winery tour
Thaya, Havraníky
Moravia Wine Region, Znojmo Subregion
This winery is located a short distance from Znojmo on the edge of the Podyjí National Park, one of the most beautiful areas in South Moravia. You can stay in hotel rooms, some of which resemble wine cellars and others offer views of the surrounding greenery. A restaurant and wellness centre are also available.
- Accommodations right at the winery
- Restaurant and wellness centre
- 2 km from the entrance to the Podyjí National Park
- Hiking and biking excursions
When wine meets design
Sonberk, Popice
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
People visit Sonberk for both the wine and the views. Architect Josef Pleskot designed the winery to blend naturally into the hillside while offering views of Pálava and the Novomlýnské reservoirs. The distinctive undulating roof evokes the movement of grapevines in the wind as well as the surface of the water, and the winery’s production facilities are hidden beneath it. Sonberk is one of the pioneers of contemporary winery architecture in the Czech Republic.
Lahofer Winery, Dobšice near Znojmo
Moravia Wine Region, Znojmo Subregion
The Lahofer Winery looks a bit like a wave rising in the middle of the vineyards. Designed by the architectural firm Chybik + Kristof, the building combines production facilities with visitor amenities and a striking terrace featuring an amphitheater. The amphitheater serves not only as a viewing platform—it also hosts concerts, theatre performances, and other events. The building was nominated for the European Mies van der Rohe Award.
Krásná Hora Winery, Starý Poddvorov
Moravia Wine Region, Slovácko Subregion
Krásná hora demonstrates that a modern winery does not have to look like a modern factory. Architects from the Létající inženýři studio drew inspiration from traditional rural buildings to create the winery’s contemporary design. White facades, gabled roofs, fired tiles, and colourful glass blocks echo the local architecture while also appearing very contemporary. Furthermore, part of the new buildings sensitively connects to the original wine cellar.
Obelisk Winery, Valtice
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
The Obelisk Winery stands in the middle of the countryside near Valtice, and its architecture emphasises simplicity and a connection to the surrounding nature. Designed by the AiD team studio, the building is partially recessed into the terrain, and its distinctive concrete and wood character blends well with the open landscape of the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape. The experience begins on the way here—the winery is surrounded by vineyards and offers views of the countryside.
Přátelé Pavlova Winery, Pavlov
Moravia Wine Region, Mikulov Subregion
A simple structure that doesn't try to overwhelm the surrounding landscape. The Přátelé Pavlova Winery was designed by architect Marek Jan Štěpán as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional barn. The concrete structure, wood, green roof, and horizontal shape of the building allow the surrounding vineyards and the Pálava region to take centre stage. The tasting area offers a view of the Novomlýnské Reservoirs.
Starý vrch Winery, Hustopeče
Moravia Wine Region, Velkopavlovice Subregion
You don’t always have to go to a wine cellar to enjoy wine. You’ll find the Starý vrch Winery right in Hustopeče, and in addition to wine, you can relax in the café, grab a light bite to eat, or enjoy a wine tasting. A great choice for those who want to explore a winery in a more casual way.
Znojmo Wine Shop, Znojmo
Moravia Wine Region, Znojmo Subregion
If you don’t have time to visit one winery after another, stop by the Znojmo Wine Enoteca in the historic city centre. It offers around 120 wines exclusively from the Znojmo wine subregion, and visitors can use the self-service “By the Glass” system. You choose what you want to taste and in what quantity, and then simply compare the wines. The wine bar is also located in an architecturally striking space designed by the Chybik + Kristof studio, and the terrace offers views of the Dyje Valley and Znojmo.
Source: National Wine Center, winery website
