10 Unconventional Ways to Savor Wine: Enjoy Your Next Trip in the Shade or Sunshine

Join Kudy z nudy to learn about the traditions of making wine and try some fantastic wine! Explore charming wine paths, either by walking or biking, and let the splendor of the vineyards and wine trails enchant you. Visit both historic wine cellars and modern wineries, indulge in tastings, savor exquisite wines, and discover the personal tales of the winemakers along with their age-old legends. The opportunities are plentiful: in the Czech Republic, you can find two wine regions, 383 wine-growing villages, 1,314 vineyards, and nearly fifteen thousand growers, covering an area of around 17,900 hectares under vine.

1. Enjoying a glass with a view: Sonberk Winery as a stunning architectural landmark

What does modern wineries designed by famous architects look like? The Sonberk Winery is the first modern winery in Moravia, nestled right in a vineyard and created by the well-known architect Josef Pleskot. It sits in the Stará hora vineyard, overlooking Popice, from which wines were historically sent to the Prague Castle for royal feasts during the Jagiellonian era, and later to the Habsburgs in Vienna.

Did you know that this famous modern structure, providing panoramic vistas of Pálava, was initially planned for a different location? Originally, it was intended to be built in what is now an orchard, but that plan was shelved due to accessibility issues, leading to the idea of placing it within the vineyard. “Initially, that really didn’t sit right with me,” Pleskot shared in a podcast for Sonberk. The owner even wished for a higher elevation for the building, but Pleskot argued that would disrupt the hillside’s contours, leading him to refuse the idea. Ultimately, the building was constructed at a lower height, ensuring it respects the hill’s natural shape, which Pleskot refers to as a “tamed old man”. It stands beautifully opposite the “spirited Pálava” – and she truly is spirited. Be careful; the views from Sonberk are so breathtaking that you might nearly forget to sip your wine. Almost.

2. Lahofer Winery: a tasting room resembling a wine sanctuary and a rooftop view

In another region – now the Znojmo area, with varied landscapes and distinct ‘spirited girls’, lies a favorite spot for wine enthusiasts: the Lahofer Winery. This place was designed by architects Ondřej Chybík and Michal Krištof. Located in the U Hájku vineyard above Dobšice, the building functions as a production facility, a welcoming visitor center, a wine store, and the company’s offices. Its gently sloping roof takes inspiration from rows of vines, while the tasting area, equipped with a large glass façade facing south, resembles a temple dedicated to wine. The interior showcases primarily wood, concrete, and glass, and the roof includes an outdoor amphitheater that invites patrons to relax, hosting numerous cultural and social events throughout the year.

3. Sleeping amidst the barrels: The finest wineries where you can stay overnight

Where can you dream about wine while sleeping right above the cellar? And where will a lovely aroma of freshly poured Riesling awaken you instead of a loud alarm clock? At Kudy z nudy, we’ve uncovered beautiful modern wineries where you can stay while exploring the world of wine. Treat yourself to comfort, surrounded by vineyards, modern designs, and stunning scenery, maybe at the Gurdau Winery in Kurdějov, or at the Obelisk Winery near Valtice, which offers a luxurious wine-growing villa where concrete, glass, and exquisite wines merge beautifully.

The Thaya Winery features minimalist decor that harmonizes perfectly with the Znojmo landscape, offering accommodations along with a hotel and restaurant in Havraníky, or you can check out the Vinice Hnanice wine hotel in Hnanice. You could also stay at the U Kapličky Winery, known from the film Bobule, or at the Gotberg Wine House in the Stará hora vineyard above Popice – just a short walk from Sonberk.

If you are adventurous and want to sleep in a wine barrel or somewhere unique, you can have that experience at Vinařství pod Hradem in Klentnice, for instance.

4. A must-visit location in South Moravia: the Plže wine cellars

Have you ever seen the lovely cellar lanes in pictures, with wine cellars that look like they belong in a fairy tale, but never in person? We can help with that. One of the most well-known wine-growing locations is the enchanting group of historic Plže wine cellars near the village of Petrov. These cellars date back to the 15th century and were declared the first village conservation area in the Czech Republic in 1983. What makes this complex remarkable is that all the cellars maintain a consistent artistic style: the pristine white plaster and blue undertones remain untouched by modern changes, colored glass blocks, roughcast plaster, or contemporary decorations. Instead, you can find colorful Slovácko folk motifs sprinkled throughout.

By the way, you can discover an ancient winemaking code here: the red paint marking the entrance wall is said to indicate that, besides having fine wine, the winemaker has a daughter available for marriage.

5. Cellars everywhere: the cellar villages

How is the Plže wine cellar complex unique compared to other wine-growing villages? In Plže, there are only wine cellars; it’s solely dedicated to wine, with no residents. Such places are rare, and we can rightfully call them wine treasures. However, Plže isn’t the only one. Another cellar village known as the ‘Free Federal Republic of Kraví hora’ is located in Bořetice. In the vicinity of Prušánky, you can explore the cellar village of Nechory; by Milotice, Şidleny awaits, and in Mutěnice, there’s the wine-growing area called Búdy. You’ll also love Velké Bílovice, which is the largest wine-growing village in the Czech Republic with its maze of Belegrady cellar paths, the cellar paths in Moravská Nová Ves, and the “Gothic” wine cellars found in Vrbice.

Here are 100 suggestions for where to visit for wine experiences at wineries or directly with the winemakers.

6. Dream-like places

Come enjoy a fairy tale experience while wine tasting in a place that will make you feel like you’re dreaming. Explore the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape and enjoy romantic views featuring vineyards, castles, and lakes. Let the allure of Mikulov sweep you away, with its historical center filled with cafés, wine bars, and stunning sceneries of Svatý Kopeček. Discover the history of the magical Portz Insel area, which once was reachable via a long brick bridge, connecting it to Mikulov through a two-and-a-half-kilometer tree-lined avenue. Wander through the Blue Mountains and discover enchanting wine-growing towns like Němčičky or Kobylí. Don’t forget to climb the spiral observation tower near Kobylí: it’s easy to do, and the view is striking.

7. Stunning vineyard views, or Instagram-friendly spots

You probably already know that the best pictures are taken during sunset when the vineyards glow in golden light. Where can you find such magical spots? Kudy z nudy recommends planning a picnic at Šobes, which is one of Europe’s finest vineyards located in the heart of Podyjí National Park. You can relax among the vines, sip on local Riesling, and watch the River Dyje meander below.

Too good to be true? The wine-tasting adventures continue. We’ve already talked about the views from Sonberk and Svatý Kopeček near Mikulov. You can also check out the view from the colonnade at Reistna near Valtice, the historic cellars in Pavlov with stunning views of Pálava, the chapel at Hradištko set amid vineyards, or Rendez-vous, also known as Diana’s Temple, a grand archway built by Prince Lichtenstein. Be sure to visit Bzenec to experience the interactive vineyard beneath Starý Hrad.

8. The biggest, most beautiful, and most peculiar wine cellars

Have you heard the tales about getting lost in the wine cellars? Or stories about winemakers who hid their barrels so well that they remain unfound? There are places where these stories become believable. One such place is the cellar maze in Čejkovice – underground tunnels that have stored wine since Knight Templar days. The Křížový Cellar in Valtice is also famous and is considered the largest wine cellar in Central Europe with its cross-shaped layout. Don’t miss the Czech Republic Wine Salon located in the cellars of Valtice Castle, where you can taste the top hundred Moravian and Czech wines from that year.

9. Wine myths and the Grape Goat

Do you think that wine can be a magical potion? Once you walk the wine trail in Vrbovec, you just might! You’ll be guided by the Grape Goat, the ancient, mythical protector of vineyards. The trail is about five kilometers long and can be navigated by foot, bike, all-terrain stroller, or even by a beginner cyclist on a balance bike. As you travel, you’ll discover a charming gazeboan antique log press, but most importantly, you’ll meet the legendary Grape Goat. Thanks to her, you will learn about the vineyard season, age-old winemaking customs, Vrbovec’s famous cellar street, and the nearby vineyards. This trail is perfect for families with children, as the informative signs come with fun illustrations and plenty of delightful wine-growing stories and lore. However, if you come across a goblin, be careful: it could just be a winemaker after a long day of work in the cellar.

10. Wine treasures: Bottles you shouldn’t miss

Which wines in Bohemia and Moravia are true treasures? What limited editions should you try before they’re gone? You might enjoy Riesling from Šobes, Welschriesling from Pálava, which has the lovely scent of a flower garden, or red wines from the Blue Mountains, known for their unique character.

The special reputation of a genuine wine treasure is held by the liquid treasure at Bečov. Many people visit the Bečov nad Teplou castle and chateau not just for the reliquary of St Maurus but also to see the liquid treasure that includes 133 bottles of Bordeaux, Burgundy wines, port, cognac, and champagne. Much like the reliquary, Duke Beaufort-Spontin hid them beneath the castle chapel’s floor before World War II. These secrets were discovered alongside the reliquary, and more bottles were added later, found during archaeological digs at the castle. When expert sommeliers checked the wines years on, they found that most were in outstanding condition. The crown jewel of this treasure is bottles of Château d’Yquem from 1896.