Plenér from Pavlov: The best choice

The competition for the title of Winery of the Year 2025 has brought about a significant change. From this year onwards, wineries will no longer be divided into small, medium and large categories. Instead, the Czech Winegrowers’ Association will award only one title of Winery of the Year 2025 to the overall winner, which increases the prestige of this award. The evaluation remains three-tiered, as in the previous year. In addition to the changes in the main category, another new feature will be the Vinatura 2025 Award, which will be presented to an entity that has made a significant contribution to sustainability in viticulture or winemaking. This award will recognise specific ecological projects in vineyards and the countryside that help to retain water, adapt to climate change and promote biodiversity.

The reason why the competition is now focusing on this aspect is clear. Vineyards play an important role in the landscape, and their health affects the future not only of viticulture and winemaking, but also of society as a whole. Problems such as drought, erosion and extreme weather increase the need for soil and water maintenance. Measures that retain moisture, protect soil structure and promote biodiversity increase the resilience of vineyards and the quality of the harvest, even in difficult years. Wine-growing plays a key role in landscaping and preserving biodiversity; one of the long-term goals of the Strategic Plan of the Czech Winegrowers’ Association for the period 2025 and 2045 is to increase the share of organic vineyards to 15% from the current 6.5%. The Vinatura Award will thus highlight specific, long-term actions in the field, rather than just marketing claims.

The 16th edition of the competition culminated on 26 February 2026 with the announcement of the Winery of the Year 2025, the Vinatura Award 2025, Oenologist of the Year – an award for young winemakers, oenologists under 40 years of age, the Prof. Vilém Kraus, CSc. Award – for a significant personality in the field of viticulture or winemaking, and also the MENDELU Faculty of Horticulture Student Award. The gala evening was once again hosted by Marek Eben.

The Plenér Winery won the title of Winery of the Year 2025, proving that modern winemaking should be based on a humble approach to terroir and bold innovations that raise our industry to an international level. The winery also won the first ever award for sustainability and ecological projects – the Vinatura Award 2025. The jury particularly appreciated their Colourful Vineyards project. The winery’s production area is not just a monoculture, but rather a living community. The winery was recognised for its subtle approach to integrating copses, infiltration areas and insect hotels directly into the structure of the vineyards, thereby setting a new standard for environmentally responsible farming in the 21st century.

A number of wineries competed for the title of Winery of the Year 2025

Among this year’s entrants are both participants from last year who are trying to repeat or surpass their success, as well as complete newcomers. Some wineries are returning to the competition after a long absence, while others are participating for the first time – all of which demonstrates the confidence that winemakers have in the competition. In the past, the title of Winery of the Year has been won by, for example: Škrobák, Víno J. Stávek, Vinselekt Michlovský, Bohemia Sekt, Hana Mádlová, Znovín Znojmo, Château Valtice – Vinné sklepy Valtice, Zámecké vinařství Bzenec, Vican rodinné vinařství, Reisten, twice by Sonberk, Jindřich Kadrnka, Thaya vinařství and last year by Štěpán Maňák.

The Czech Winegrowers’ Association, in cooperation with the National Wine Centre, selected six finalists for the prestigious Wine Producer of the Year 2025 competition. These wineries successfully passed a rigorous evaluation and made it to the final round, where the sole winner was decided: Thaya Winery, Fučík Winery, Plenér Winery, Válka Winery, Volařík Winery, and Kutná Hora Wine Cellars.

How did the selection process for the Winery of the Year winner take place?

As in the previous year, the selection of the best winery took place in three stages, with this evaluation system ensuring maximum objectivity in the competition. First stage: “Junior Jury“: A team of three academics visited each winery in person. They filled out an evaluation form with technical data and recorded a video of three areas: cellar management, vineyard and marketing. These materials then served as the basis for the second stage.

Second stage of evaluation, the “Senior Jury“: Nine experts (three each from the fields of viticulture, cellar management and marketing/sales) evaluated the wineries based on the materials from the previous stage and their own research. The evaluation also included a blind tasting of wines from all participating wineries, led by national sommelier Klára Kollárová. The final ranking was determined by the sum of points from both rounds, narrowing the nominations down to the final six.

Final evaluation by the “Expert Committee“: A seven-member team visited the six best wineries to assess how they met the criteria set for the competition. This committee then determined the overall winner.

Schedule for the 2025 Winery of the Year competition:

• • 10–24 October 2025: Tour of registered wineries and collection of materials by the Junior Jury

• • 27–31 October 2025: Evaluation of forms and preparation of materials for the “Senior Jury”

• • 31 October 2025: End of registration for the Vinatura Award

• • 1–16 November 2025: Evaluation by the “Senior Jury”

• • 4 November 2025: Evaluation of wines submitted by wineries in a blind tasting

• • 19 November 2025: Press release and announcement of the final six

• • 18–20 January 2026: Evaluation by the final committee

• • 26 February 2026: Ceremonial announcement of the winners