The personality of the Moravian wine region lies in the great individuality of the wines which come from the diversity of its vineyards stretching from Znojmo to Uherské Hradiště, the difference in climate in the individual sub-regions and their distinct terroirs – that unrepeatable genius loci, which is the expression of the unique character of a vineyard, knitting together the tradition of cultivation, the choice of varieties and the manner of production of wines coming from any given single vineyard. The unusual versatility among Moravian white wines reflects the variety of flavours which differ from those of other wines in their rich spectrum of extractive material and well-balanced palates coupled with their crisp acidity. Thanks to modern technological practices the reds are both well-rounded and deeply expressive, exhibiting fruitiness laced with smooth velvety tones on the palate. The common factor for both white and red wines is the extraordinarily wide choice of grape varieties available.

History of winemaking in Moravia

The years between the 14th to the 16th century have been labelled the golden age of Moravian winemaking, when vineyards completely surrounded villages, towns and monasteries.

Tending to the vineyards and collecting tithes was admittedly the domain of the monasteries, although since a good vineyard on an attractive site was frequently of a greater value than an imposing town house, the rich urban population often invested their finances in vineyard planting. During this time the largest wine centres we know today were being established in the towns of Znojmo, Dolní Kounice, Mikulov, Hustopeče, Strážnice and Blatnice pod svatým Antonínkem. The end to this promising expansion of Moravian winemaking came with the Thirty Years War during which around half the vineyards were lost. In the second half of the 17th century small country viticulturists and winemakers endeavoured to renew the vineyard plantings, however, the vineyard area never returned to its original size. At the end of the 19th century frosts and fungal diseases destroyed many more vineyards, while the final nail in the coffin for Moravian vineyards was phylloxera. This root-destroying pest arrived in the Czech lands in 1890, attacking vineyards across the whole of Moravia where, in ten years, the majority had been irrepairably destroyed.

Since the only reliable way to protect against the phylloxera beetle is to graft vines onto American rootstock, this led to the setting-up of state research centres for vines with nurseries. With the subsequent renewal the Moravian vineyard area eventually returned to its original pre-phylloxera size. Current winemaking, using the very latest in modern technology is oriented towards the production of quality wines, especially those with special attributes. These are more often than not produced in small batches using a wide variety of cultivars, the whites of which belong to the world's best.

Czech and Moravian winemaking history in chronological order »»

Facts

The Moravian wine region is one of two wine regions in the Czech Republic. It contains around 96 % of the total registered vineyard area of the Czech Republic, with the entire area comprising 18 500 hectares. This wine region has an average annual temperature of 9.42°C, the average annual rainfall is 510 mm and sunshine on average 2 244 hours per year. The Moravian wine region is composed of four wine sub-regions: Znojmo, Mikulov, Velké Pavlovice and Slovácko. The most frequently planted white grape varieties are: Müller Thurgau 11 %, Grüner Veltliner (Veltlínské zelené) 11 %, Welschriesling (Ryzlink vlašský) 8.4 %. The most planted red varieties are: Saint Laurent (Svatovavřinecké) 9 %, Lemberger (Frankovka) 7 %, Pinot Noir (Rulandské modré) 4 %.

Varietal composition of vineyards »»

---

The Moravian wine region is composed of four wine sub-regions.

Znojmo wine sub-region
Total area: 3 500 ha
Wine communes: 91
Individual vineyards: 224
More than any other the Grüner Veltliner (Veltlínské zelené) grape variety is synonymous with Znojmo, however, a number of aromatic grape varieties, such as Müller Thurgau, Sauvignon, Riesling and Pálava also thrive here. In the area surrounding Dolní Kounice red wines come into their own, principally Lemberger a.k.a. Blaufränkisch (Frankovka) and St Laurent (Svatovavřinecké).

What do you need to see in the most westerly sub-region in Moravia? The famed Šobes vineyard in a meander of the river Dyje for instance. This is one of the highest quality vineyard sites in Europe which lies amidst the Podyjí National Park. You should also not fail to visit the town of Znojmo itself, with its 30 km of long underground passageways of wine cellars belonging to the townsfolk dating back to the Middle Ages. Worth a look too are the extensive wine cellars of the former monastery, Loucký klášteř, or the romantic remains of the Gothic monastery Rosa Coeli in Dolní Kounice. This town lies in the valley of the Jihlava river and here, as opposed to in the rest of the Znojmo region, black grape varieties take precedence, particularly Lemberger/Blaufränkisch (Frankovka). »»


Mikulov wine sub-region
Total area: 4 750 ha
Wine communes: 30
Individual vineyards: 182
On the foothills of the Pálava range, Welschriesling, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay are cultivated, while Müller Thurgau, Neuburger and Sylvaner also do well here. And the aromatic Pálava variety was crossed and developed in the Wine Research Institute in Perná nearby.

The Mikulov wine sub-region offers a rich mosaic of natural beauty. From here one can see in the distance the dominant feature of the landscape, the limestone ridge of Pálava, an area proclaimed famous for its cultivation of the grapevine. Above all the Welschriesling and the Pálava variety itself, which was created in the commune of Perná right on the Pálava foothills, thrive here. Another jewel is the Lednice-Valtice area, with a range of monuments and landmarks, which has been included in the List of World Culture and Natural Heritage of UNESCO as the among the most extensive artistic landscape interpretations in the world. During a visit to the Mikulov region you should not omit the winemaking exhibition with its unique giant barrel in the château in Mikulov and the Wine Salon of the Czech Republic at the château Valtice. »»


Velké Pavlovice wine sub-region
Total area: 5 200 ha
Wine communes: 75
Individual vineyards: 319
Velké Pavlovice is the beating heart of Moravian red wine, made from, in particular, the Blauer Portugieser and Lemberger grape varieties. White wines are represented by Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Gris and the mainly aromatic varieties – Gewurztraminer, Pálava, Moravian Muscat (Muškát Moravský) and Müller Thurgau. »»

The Velké Pavlovice wine sub-region lies in the central part of the Moravian region. This wine sub-region is celebrated for it unmistakable full-bodied red wines. As you travel across this region do not miss a trip to the large underground cellars beneath the fortress in Čejkovice, which were constructed during the 13th century by the order of the Knights Templar, visit also the winemaking exhibition in the cellars of the renaissance house U Synků in Hustopeče or the picturesque horseshoe-shaped cellar colony Pod Strážním kopcem in Vrbice. And if you would like to have some fun and are interested in independence movements, do not forget to visit the Free Federal Republic of Kraví hora in Bořetice. »»


Slovácko wine sub-region
Total area: 5 000 ha
Wine communes: 115
Individual vineyards: 406
Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grape varieties all thrive here, while in the Wine Research Institutre at Polešovice the Muškát Moravský (Moravian Muscat) was developed. Blaufränkisch, Zweigeltrebe and the newly crossed local variety Cabernet Moravia are the most planted red varieties.

The Slovácko wine sub-region is the most easterly sub-region of Moravia. The palettes of locally-produced wines are as varied and colourful as the Slovácko folklore, folk songs, folk costumes, dances and handiwork. In the outdoor museum in Strážnice you will discover a unique collection of wine-related buildings, in Mutěnice is another vast wine-cellar colony, whose façades are adorned with folk painting with its fanciful Slovácko ornamentation. Another unforgetteable experience is to wander through the historic wine cellars in Petrov-Plže or in Stará hora in Blatnice pod svatým Antonínkem. In Uherské Hradiště ask for Mařatické sklepy. »»