South Moravia (Jižní Morava) to96% of Czech wine production. The region extends over 19,000 hectares of vineyards along the Austrian border. Continental climate, mostly white wines: Grüner Veltliner, Ryzlink rýnský, Sauvignon blanc. Ideal for a bike weekend with tastings.
History in Brief
The Romans of the legions of Emperor Mark Aurelius planted vines here in the second century C.E. Charles IV in the 14th century brought cuttings from Burgundy. The bloom: the 16th–XVII century, destruction: Hussic and Turkish Wars. Rebirth: 19th century and after 1989.
Mikulov — The Moravian Gate
The town of 7,000 volts on the border with Austria, at the foot of Pavlovských vrchov (Pavlov Hills, 550 m — the highest hills of southern Moravia).
Mikulov Castle
The Baroque palace of the Dietrichsteins (reconstruction of 1720),Cardinal's residence. Museum of wine witha giant 1101-hectolite barrel(from 1643, the largest in Europe). Introduction 150 Kč.
Holy Mountain (Svatý kopeček)
363 m, chapel of the cross road (1623), on top of the church. Walking tour 30 minutes from the market, panoramic vineyards all the way to Austria.
Jewish Cemetery
Over 4000 tombstones from the 15th–XX century, one of the oldest in Central Europe. Mikulov washeadquarters of the Chief Rabbi of Moraviafrom 1553.
Lednicko-Valticki area (UNESCO 1996)
Europe’s largest landscape park —200 km2, the work of the Liechtensteins (XVIII–XIX century). You can enjoy cycling (60 km of paths).
Lednice Castle
Neogotyk 1846–1858, 141 rooms, arteries in nutwood from America, marble staircase. Musical room with acoustics for 60-man orchestra. Access route I: 260 Kč, free gardens. Palm House (100 Kč) — Tropical greenhouse of 1848
Valtice Castle
The Baroque summer residence of Liechtenstein.Chinese Hall Salonwith Rosenthal porcelain. In the cellars:Salon Vín České Republiky— national wine archive (100 best per year). Taste 490 Kč (10 wines + small snacks).
Chapel of the Three Graces, Minaret, Temple of Apollo
Romantic pavilions scattered across the park. Minaret (60 m) — the highest non-Sacral Ottoman building in Central Europe, with a view terrace (entry 90 Kč).
Vineyards — Where to Taste
Znovín Znojmo
The largest producer of the region, 700 hectares. Wine from the vineyards of Šoes (the oldest in the Czech Republic, mentioned 1101.). Tastes in Šatov from 350 Kč. Speciality:Grüner Veltliner Šobes.
Rodinné vinařství Michlovský
The cult of the family winemaker of Rakvic. A convergence of tradition and biodynamics. Tastes from 490 Kč — you have to arrange.
Pavlov cellars
The street of wine cellars — 40 picturesque “shops” from the 19th century in one village. Open on weekends V–IX, each with its own host wine. Taste of 4 wines = approx. 200 Kč.
Cycle routes
- Moravian wine route(Moravská vinařská stezka) — 1200 km of paths through all 10 subregions. Main axis: Znojmo → Břeclav
- Lednicko-Valticko Route— 60 km around UNESCO monuments
- Pálava Route— 40 km after the most interesting microregion with limestone hills
When to go
- Vinegar(Vinobraní): the second half of September — festivals in Znojma, Mikulov, Mělník. Mustard (budge) — fresh unfermented wine juice
- Open cellars(Otevřené shops): the first Saturday of May and October — 100 cellars provide tastings one day
- Advent in the basement:December — hot wine in the atmosphere of medieval cellars