Moravia, Czech Republic’s Wine Country

Nestled between Austria, Poland and Slovakia, the ancient kingdom of Moravia is relatively unknown and often upstaged by neighboring Bohemia and its capital city of Prague. Moravia is a treasure and arguably one of the best preserved and most historic regions of the Czech Republic. In Southern Moravia the treasures come from the earth – and by treasures I mean wine.

Czech beer may be world famous, but in Southern Moravia it’s all about the wine. Legend has it this region has been in the winemaking business since the second century. The sunny slopes of Pálava in Moravia have been described as “kissed by the sun.” This warm dry region is perfect for producing quality grapes for winemaking and is responsible for 97% of the wines produced in the Czech Republic.

Vineyards have persevered despite the devastation brought about by the 30 years’ war, the wine pest (Phylloxera), and changes in legislation throughout the centuries. The establishment of modern wine laws in the Czech Republic began in 1995 with the enactment of the Wine Act. Finally, a truly worthy piece of legislation!

Mikulov is the center of the Moravian wine country. Surrounded by the white, chalky Pálava Hills and adorned with a stunning hilltop Renaissance chateau, Mikulov was described by 20th-century Czech poet Jan Skacel as “a piece of Italy moved to Moravia by God’s hand.”

In the cellars of the Mikulov chateau you will find a viticulture exposition. A modern-style exposition titled “Traditional Viticulture in Moravia” tells the history of wine cultivation and the production and sale of wine from the first mention of a grapevine in Moravia to the 20th century.

Wine artifacts on display include a gallery of wooden wine presses dating from 1797 to 1937 and my personal favorite, a giant wine barrel from 1643. The enormous 1,014 hectoliter barrel was commissioned by Prince Maximilian Dietrichstein, the owner of the Mikulov estate, and was used to store wine collected as taxes from the peasants who rented the lord’s vineyards. That translates to roughly 137,150 bottles of wine – and a lot of disappointed peasants.

Southern Moravia is laced with over 745 miles of marked cycling trails designated as Moravian Wine Routes providing an idyllic way to experience this storied wine country. The trails wind through lush green vineyards, tiny villages and into an architectural landscape with an abundance of castles and chateaus.   One route travels through a UNESCO biosphere reserve which protects one of the most notable ecosystems in the world. You will pedal past cozy wine cellars carved out of the hillsides where village vintners welcome you to join them for a taste of their wines.

A total of 11 vineyard cycling trails have been developed. Each has been designed to guide cyclists through picturesque landscapes, past significant historical monuments and to the wine cellars for each region. All of the trails are connected to the Greenway Moravian Wine Trail – the main artery of the trail network. The trail traverses 70 winemaking towns, 10 protected nature reserves and numerous historical and architectural monuments connecting the ancient town of Znojmo to the capital of the Slovácko region – Uherské Hradiště.

Choose the trail that works for your cycling style. The Kyjovská Wine Trail is designed for more experienced and energetic cyclists winding over 52 miles of hilly terrain. You will be rewarded for your efforts with tastes of Moravian Muscat wines and Pinot Gris.

Don’t want to work that hard? Check out the Strážnická Trail, a flat route running through the gorgeous orchid meadows of the White Carpathians.   On this trail you will taste Rieslings and Silvaner which has an aroma of lime leaves. Take some time to explore the town of Strážnice, home to an open-air museum of folk architecture.

The Mikulov Wine Trail goes through the Lednice-Valtice complex – a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Garden of Europe. Cultivated by generations of Lichtensteins over the expanse of their 600 year reign, the ostentatious complex showcases an elegant French garden and an English park surrounded by the family’s baroque and neo-gothic chateau.

Villages and towns along the Moravian Wine Route provide trail descriptions and maps on information panels. Of course you will want to take numerous cycling breaks to allow for plenty of wine tasting in each region.

The Moravian Wine Country experience is low-key and folksy. Traditional winemaking methods reign in this historic region. You won’t find luxurious boutique hotels or Michelin star restaurants. What you will find are entertaining wine harvest festivals, family-owned vineyards, diverse landscapes and a land of stories.

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