Discover all that South Moravia has to offer: a combination of historical monuments and delicious wine

The Mikulov Castle, Lednice, Valtice, and the Mikulov Wine Region

The Mikulov Region has several places where you can focus on wine amidst the magnificent settings of historic castles and fortresses. TheMikulov Castle that rises above the town is sure to put you in the mood for a glass of wine. A unique feature here is the exhibition on winemaking found in the castle cellar, complete with a gigantic barrel. The exhibition in the former Baroque stables, named Wine Through the Centuries, takes you back to ancient Egypt and allows you to explore a Roman cellar, a Gothic chapel, or a Baroque theater. There are also exciting film screenings showcasing the development of viticulture and winemaking throughout different historical periods. To top off your visit, there is an interactive bike ride along the scenic wine cycling paths, where visitors can truly hop on a bike and immerse themselves in the beautiful vineyard views.

After visiting the castle, you can stop for some wine at a stylish cellar with a summer terrace called Prostě Sklep, or visit Vinice Coffeebar—a mobile bar, cafe, and winery combined. You can enjoy a classic wine tasting at Degustarium Mikulov; however, you should reserve a spot in advance. Here you can try varieties such as Ryzlink vlašský, Ryzlink rýnský, Sauvignon, Veltlínské zelené, and Rulandské bílé. These wines originate from the areas surrounded by the Nové Mlýny reservoirs, bordered by Austria to the south, the Dyje river to the west, and the regions of Pavlov, Klentnice, and Mikulov. Among the renowned local winemakers are Vinařství Víno Marcinčák, Volařík, Vican, Mikrosvín Mikulov, Kovacs, Sonberk, and Šilinek from Pavlov.

Another unique site in the area is the famous Lednice-Valtice complex. Here, you shouldn’t miss the Valtice Castle and the Wine Salon. In the renovated cellars of this state castle, you can find the tasting exhibition of the Wine Salon of the Czech Republic, showcasing 100 of the best Moravian and Czech wines for the year, selected from the National Wine Competition. It is not only for viewing and education but also for tasting throughout the year. You can either guide your own tasting session or choose a selection with commentary from a professional sommelier. So, right after exploring the charming castle, where you’ll discover an interesting exhibition named “The Prince’s Apartment: The Apartment of Franz I. of Liechtenstein” you just need to head down to the cellar and contemplate which wine to try first.

Lednice Castle is a jewel of the Lednice-Valtice area and is also one of the most beautiful examples of English Gothic architecture in Europe. Several guided tours run through the castle’s interior, while the surroundings attract visitors with the French garden featuring a palm conservatory, a masonry garden, and a castle park that seamlessly transitions into the open countryside. Additionally, we recommend visiting the unique wine visitor center called Annovino located on Nezvalova Street, which is built from shell limestone containing fossils. You can get a broad view of the entire area from a fascinating lookout provided by the Děvičky Castle, whose ruins sit atop a prominent hill within the Pálava Protected Landscape Area. It’s a striking landmark in the landscape, but do note that the visit requires a somewhat challenging climb.

Břeclav, Strážnice, Milotice, Bzenec, and the Slovácko Wine Region

The Slovácko Wine Region is the largest wine region in Moravia. Besides many excellent wineries, you can find numerous castles here that invite you for a tour. For instance, Milotice Castle, known as the pearl of southeastern Moravia, is a remarkably preserved baroque architectural complex along with its beautiful gardens, located about 8 km from Kyjov. Nearby, you can explore the picturesque area of wine cellars called Šidleny, and in the wider surroundings, there are famous award-winning wineries. Notable examples include Vinařství Josef Dufek (Svatobořice-Mistřín) and Vinařství Maňák (Žádovice). Also worth visiting is the Slovácká gallery of wines in Kyjov.

In the center of Bzenec in the Hodonín region stands a large Neo-Gothic castle with a rich history. It is unfortunately not currently accessible to the public, but visitors can walk through the adjacent park. The historical castle cellars have been fully renovated and are home to the successful winery Zámecké vinařství Bzenec, which is one of the most successful in the country. It has repeatedly won the title of absolute champion in the Czech Wine Salon. However, with prior arrangement, you can tour the cellars and enjoy tastings.

The older, previously decrepit Břeclav Castle is slowly being revitalized. Its ancient history dates back to the 11th century. If you enjoy panoramic views of the landscape, you can climb up to the view from the middle tower of the Břeclav Castle, open from May to the end of September. Within the castle is also a wine cellar. While traveling through the region, don’t miss the famous wine cellar alleys in Prušánkách, Moravská Nová Ves, Mutěnické Búdy, and Petrov-Plže, the original wine cellar complex recognized as a folklore architecture reserve since 1983.

The final stop in this area is Strážnice. This castle attracts lovers of folk culture with its exhibition on folklore and traditional musical instruments. You can also visit the historical cellars beneath the castle, where the finest vintage and classified wines are stored and aged. Of course, tasting is a must. Since 2002, the cellars belong to the family winery Zámecké sklepy Strážnice, lovingly tended by father and son Šebestovi. The main attraction here is a barrel holding 12,000 liters of wine. And if you’re in Strážnice, it would be a shame to miss the visit to the local open-air museum, dedicated to the village life of southeastern Moravia.

Moravský Krumlov, Miroslav, and the Znojmo Wine Region

In the Znojmo area, we don’t have to look far. Right in the main city of this region, Znojmo, stands a castle converted into a chateau. Znojmo is both a historic and winemaking town, making such a structure quite expected, and having good wine nearby is a given. Just a few dozen meters from the castle complex is the Enoteca of Znojmo wines. In the entrance area, there is a stylish café and wine bar, followed by spaces where you can taste wines from the Znojmo wine region independently. All you need is to get a tasting card and choose the specific wine to try at the wine tasting station. This is the largest tasting room with a “by the glass” system in the Czech Republic. You can also step outside with your glass onto the terrace to enjoy the beautiful views of the historical town.

Moravský Krumlov Castle features a restored and modern exhibition of the Slavonic Epic that returned home in 2021 after many adventures. It is expected to stay here at least until 2026. The Miroslav Castle is an architectural gem since it retains all building styles it has undergone throughout its history, and the unique aspect is that it was built on a rock, giving the entire structure a very irregular shape.

The most significant wine regions in this area can be found in villages like Šaldorf-Sedlešovice, Hnanice, Šatov, Chvalovice, Vrbovec, and Jaroslavice, which offer excellent wines and a unique atmosphere in their wine cellar alleys. Among the prominent wineries that consistently achieve awards on both domestic and international levels are Znovín Znojmo, Vinařství Trpělka & Oulehla, Vino Hort, Lahofer, Arte Vini, Hanzel, Vinselekt Michlovský, and VOC Znojmo. Finally, here’s a rarity – Znovín Znojmo built a unique tasting stand right in the middle of the vineyards in the village of Havraníky, which you must visit, ideally during a hiking trip.

Židlochovice Castle, the Chapel in Hradišťko, and the Templar Cellars of the Velkopavlovice Region

Key centers of the Velkopavlovice Region include Velké Bílovice, Velké Pavlovice, Hustopeče, Kobylí, and Čejkovice, which features a Gothic fortress and extensive cellars built in the 13th century by the Templar Knights, with the first written mention dating back to 1248. Nestled in the heart of the Velkopavlovice wine region is Velké Pavlovice, a town perfectly suited for fans of fine wine, sweet apricots, and folk traditions. One of Europe’s best-preserved hunting castles is Židlochovice Castle. Along with its historical hunting grounds and parks for game, it forms a unique hunting complex that continues a centuries-old hunting tradition in the area. Unfortunately, the interiors of this landmark are not yet open to the public, but you can take a walk through the expansive castle park, which stretches over 22 hectares.

On an elevation in the vineyards near Velké Bílovice stands a chapel shaped like a Romanesque rotunda. Located on the Hradištěk-Zímarky hill, it offers beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards and the Pálava hills. Its strategic position and excellent sightlines across the boundaries of the Lower Moravian and Dyje-Svratka Valleys suggest that the 10th Roman Legion might have had a guard unit stationed here. This theory is supported by the discovery of a luxurious Roman two-wick lamp found in the vineyard on the original Zímarky tract to the left of Hradištěk.

The Templar cellars in Čejkovice are historical wine cellars from the 13th century tied to the Templar Knights. Throughout the years, several significant families and orders have passed through the Čejkovice estate. The modern Templars take great pride in this winemaking tradition and maintain it diligently. Evidence of their care can be found in the many prestigious wine awards they have received. You can taste these contemporary Templar treasures during a guided tour.

The landscape of the Velkopavlovice area is recognized as the heart of red wine production in Moravia, and the prestigious VOC Modré Hory originated here. While exploring the Modré Hory region, make sure to visit the iconic cellars in Vrbice. Some renowned wineries from the Velkopavlovice area include the breeding station in Velké Pavlovice that produced the red grape variety André. This variety was created by crossing Frankovka and Svatovavřinecké. There are also award-winning wines from wineries such as Vinium from Velké Pavlovice, František Mádl, Radomil Baloun, František Zapletal, Vinařství Vladimír Tetur, Habánské sklepy, ZD Němčičky, Vinařství Bílkovi, and Vinařství Škrobák.

Wines from the Town at the Confluence: Mělnická Wine Region

Now, let’s move to Bohemia, specifically to the town of Mělník, after which this entire wine region is named. This royal dowry town is famous primarily as the Czech wine center. It lies at the notable confluence of the Labe and Vltava rivers, which for centuries have shaped the landscape with its slopes perfectly suited for grape cultivation. At the castle, you can see huge wine cellars, walk through a small wine exhibition, and, of course, taste the local wines, the most famous of which is Ludmila, named after Princess Ludmila, who established the area’s first vineyard and laid the foundation for local winemaking. Since the late 19th century, it has been bottled in its distinctive original bottles, known as “inkpots”.

The Northernmost Vineyards of Central Europe: The Litoměřice Wine Region

The Litoměřice region is the smallest wine region in the Czech Republic, with about 290 hectares of vineyards. Litoměřice has been an important wine center since the Middle Ages. The predominant geological foundation of the local vineyards is either basalt or limestone. Typical varieties include Ryzlink rýnský, Rulandské bílé, Tramín červený and Svatovavřinecké. In addition to Litoměřice, the area includes towns like Most, Roudnice nad Labem, Kadaň, Ústí nad Labem, and Louny. If you’re someone who enjoys visiting castles, head to nearby Roudnice. Here, you’ll find the Gallery of Modern Art, with its main attraction being 60 paintings by Antonín Slavíček. Roudnice also produces wine under the Lobkowicz label. You can purchase it directly from the castle building in Roudnice.

Above Most is Hněvín Castle, but it is merely a replica of the original castle. Thus, it can be said that the surroundings of Most are the most scenic, characterized by slopes covered with vineyards. Near Žernosecké vineyards, the ruins of the Kamýk Castle loom over the area, and a baroque chateau in the town by the Labe River, Velké Žeronoseky, which is used by winemakers and therefore is not accessible to the public. The Žernosecké vineyards are particularly known for their excellent white wines made from Ryzlink rýnský, Rulandské bílé, and Rulandské šedé, and also wines from the Müller Thurgau grape grown on the slopes below Lovoš. Recently, very good results have also been noted from the Morelle, Svatovavřinecké, and Blaufränkisch varieties in Žernoseky. In the vineyard areas around Most, vines have also proven to be an excellent reclamation crop in the brown coal mining area of Habrák. The varieties Ryzlink rýnský, Rulandské šedé, Müller Thurgau, Rulandské modré, Svatovavřinecké, and Zweigeltrebe have all thrived there. The wineries in this area, such as Rodinné vinařství Mikulenkovi in Velké Žernoseky, Žernosecké vinařství (at the castle), or Vinařství Pavel Hrabkovský, offer opportunities for wine tasting. You can also try Třebívlické zámecké vinařství, Vinařství sv. Tomáše from Malé Žernoseky, or Vičické vinařství Mikulášek near Chomutov.