Attention Wine Enthusiasts! This August, Savor Bourbon Delights

Starting from August 1, 2025, winemakers, especially those in South Moravia, will be able to sell bourbon, which is the very first bourbon of the year. This bourbon is made from a partially fermented grape must, typically created from very early grape varieties. The earliest varieties available will include the partially fermented Augustovsky and Irsai Oliver grapes. The Muscat grape, which is quite popular during the bourbon season, follows next, and the final bourbons are crafted from Veltliner.

Among the first wineries to release their bourbon every year are the Trasic Vinařská náhotovost Winery and Chateau Valtice – Wine Cellars in Valtice. This winery starts harvesting Augustovsky grapes in August to create their delicious bourbon. They use a technique called flotation to remove impurities from the must, enhancing both its color and flavor. Notably, this winery sells bourbon exclusively at its own location.

The very first winemaker to begin selling his bourbon each year is Mr. Miloslav Machuca from Valtice. His focus is solely on making bourbon, which is available from early August through the end of October. Traditionally, he sets up stalls in three locations: at Valtice near the Apollo campsite between Lednice and Breclav, and at the I/52 road close to the Novomlýnské reservoirs.

One of the earliest wineries in the Znojmo region known for its bourbon is Family Winery Eliška Čeperová and Pavel Matouš, located in Olbramovice. They produce bourbon using grapes from the Solaris variety. Grapes from growers in the vineyards of Dolní Dunajovice in the Breclav area are also about to be harvested. This area yields Irsai Oliver grapes, known for their strong aroma that is perfect for making bourbon.

Known fondly as “Old people’s milk,” bourbon is truly one of our unique beverages. While it can be found in limited regions of Austria and Slovakia, it enjoys the most popularity during late summer and early autumn in Moravia and Bohemia.

Are you looking to taste some bourbon?

Wine and Bourbon from Open Cellars in Mikulčice

On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Mikulčice extends an invitation to the Open Cellars event, where visitors can enjoy this year’s bourbon along with exquisite wines. Attendees will have the chance to visit and sample wines made by local small producers in the areas called Těšické boudy, The Devil, and other cellar alleys near the hunting lodge. As is tradition, horse-drawn carriages will be available to help guests move from one cellar to another. There will also be delightful local specialties prepared by expert chefs. The accompanying wine museum will be open throughout the day, and dulcimer music will play in the background. Convenient transportation will be provided through horse-drawn carriages, running every half hour from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Valtice Underground – Holiday Evenings with Dulcimer

Be sure not to miss the traditional weekend evenings and adventure tourism in the Valtice Underground, an incredible labyrinth of historic wine cellars that stretches over 900 meters. Experience wines from the Lednice-Valtice area while enjoying dulcimer music that invites both dancing and listening. You don’t have to part ways with the dulcimer or wine as the holiday season winds down; on September 12, there will be a “Bourbons and Miss Bourbons” event in the Valtice Underground, followed by a Musical Party on September 19, a Vintage Party at Chateau Valtice on September 20, a Pumpkins Party on September 26, and a Vintage Party on October 3 and 4.

Open Cellar Day in Čejkovice

Čejkovice, recognized as having the third largest vineyard area in the Czech Republic, will host the Open Cellar Day Čejkovice on August 30, 2025. Join us to sample exceptional Moravian wines within the enjoyable setting of the local wine cellars. Many winemakers and wine companies will be participating, offering tastings directly in their cellar farms. The walking tour of open wine cellars will kick off at 10:00 AM and will continue until 7:00 PM. An evening dulcimer gathering will take place at 8:00 PM in the courtyard of the chateau, hosted by Víno Sýkora.

Burčák Festivities at the U Kapličky Winery in Zaječí

From September 5-7, 2025, all bourbon enthusiasts are invited to the traditional bourbon festival in the village of Zaječí. The U Kapličky winery will showcase a selection of local wines along with this year’s bourbon, all while providing entertainment featuring dulcimer music, and tastings and sales of sausages and cheese from local vendors. The Basket in Nový Cellar includes more than 30 wine samples alongside several types of bourbon, with tasting and sales of cold cuts and cheeses and complimentary breads with crackling spread to greet you. Guests will receive a souvenir glass featuring the winery’s logo, unlimited access to wines and bourbon, and dulcimer music for dancing and enjoyment.

Wandering for Bourbon in the Blue Mountains

The Voluntary Association of Municipalities of the Blue Mountains invites all hiking and cycling lovers to join the autumn journey through vineyards and cellars, tasting bourbon. The event will happen on Saturday, September 6, 2025, beginning from Velke Pavlovice at Ekocentrum Trkmanka’s outdoor area. Anticipate tasting bourčák and wine. This tour caters to both cyclists and pedestrians. You’ll journey through South Moravian villages such as Velké Pavlovice, Bořetice, Němčičky, Kobylí, and Vrbice. Don’t miss the 16th edition of this increasingly popular event in the Blue Mountains! As the name suggests, this is an adventure (not just) among the vineyards where you can collect stamps from each location. You’ll receive a map in your kit to earn free samples, including “0.5 dcl of bourbon for tasting“. You can choose to walk or bike; the terrain is manageable. At each stamping area, refreshments will be available. If you’re clever and manage to visit nearly all the stamping spots before 4 PM, you will earn “a commemorative certificate“.

Znojmo Burčák Tour Kooperativa