Experience the Joy of St. Martin’s Day through Czech Traditions and Exquisite Wines!

Young Wine Celebrations for St. Martin

On November 11th, it’s customary to roast fattened geese, and marks a special moment: the first bottles of young wine are uncorked promptly at 11:11 AM. These St. Martin wines are characterized by their freshness and youthfulness, having only a brief period of maturing. They tend to be very clear and come with a lower alcohol content. Therefore, don’t miss the chance to join in the festivities and discover the delightful offerings of the season!

The wines produced under the St. Martin label are the very first offerings from the new vintage. These wines are vibrant and fruity, having aged for just a couple of weeks, yet they have developed a unique character in that short time. In order for a wine to receive the St. Martin designation, it must be crafted in the Czech Republic using specific grape varieties, which include Müller Thurgau, Early Roter Veltliner, Moravian Muscat, Blauer Portugieser, Svatovavřinecké (St. Laurent), and Zweigeltrebe. Additionally, it must be assessed by an impartial committee that evaluates the wine’s qualities, including its appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall impression.

When you opt for a wine bearing the St. Martin label, you can be assured you’re enjoying a top-quality young wine hailing from regions like South Moravia, Mělnicko, or other notable areas in Central and Northern Bohemia.

The Kickoff of St. Martin Wine Tasting

The Czech winemakers’ association, known as the Wine Fund (Vinařský Fond), is gearing up for the largest St. Martin wine tasting event in the Czech Republic, set to take place on November 11 at 11 AM in Brno’s Náměstí Svobody square. This extraordinary wine tasting event will feature around 100 samples of St. Martin wines sourced from 100 different winemakers. Additionally, you can anticipate numerous other tasting events and St. Martin’s Day parades across the Czech Republic. Notable locations for these celebrations include the Prague Botanical Garden, as well as celebrations in Český Krumlov and Jihlava.

St. Martin’s Day Fare in Restaurants

Almost every restaurant will be rolling out a special menu in honor of St. Martin’s Day around mid-November. So what can you expect from these festive menus? There’s a longstanding tradition of roasting geese in the autumn, preparing fresh cabbage, and enjoying wine or beer during this time of year. Many restaurants and pubs stay true to these time-honored ingredients. Typically, diners can start with a rich liver pâté, followed by a hearty broth laden with liver dumplings and noodles, which chefs usually let simmer overnight. The highlight of the meal is often roast goose accompanied by red or white cabbage and some delightful dumplings. When it comes to beverages, you might choose to complement your meal with a glass of St. Martin wine or select a special beer. In recent years, various breweries have been striving to produce the finest brew for the St. Martin holiday festivities. Cheers to that!

If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try roasting a St. Martin’s goose at home, be sure to check out our recipe.

Where to Indulge in St. Martin’s Menu? Explore Czech Specials Restaurants!

Restaurants in Prague

• Restaurant Sezóna (November 11 – 15): Experience a festive menu crafted by chef Martin Tamel. Signature dishes include goose liver terrine served with spicy onion, pear, and chili chutney, or a quarter of a young goose accompanied by apples, thyme, three varieties of cabbage, and a trio of dumplings.
• Restaurant Obecní dům: (November 8) Features a St. Martin’s brunch that includes traditional goose soup (kaldoun), duck roulade filled with goose liver, and delectable sweets like St. Martin’s croissants and homemade goose ice cream.
• Malostranská beseda: Features a menu that highlights smoked duck breast drizzled with blackberry reduction, complemented by red Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, and frisée salad.
• U Pinkasů (starting November 11): Experience goose liver in lard topped with pomegranate and roasted almond flakes, a poultry soup enriched with vegetables and bread dumplings, and savor St. Martin’s goose roasted with apples and marjoram, all served alongside red cabbage and a variety of dumplings. Pair it with St. Martin’s red wine from Znovín Znojmo cellars, a highly recommended choice.

Culinary Experiences Across the Country

• Restaurant Narpa in Lány: Offers a traditional St. Martin’s duck, expertly paired with young wines from the Nechory winery.
• Hostinec U Hubálků: Presents a St. Martin’s buffet featuring over 20 types of young wines and a comprehensive menu complete with appetizers, soup, and dessert.
• Angusfarm Soběsuky near Pilsen.
• Pivnice Na Štokách in Vysočina: Indulge in goose soup enhanced with butter, confit goose legs, and potato pancakes (lokše) stuffed with goose liver.
• Usedlost pod Vinohrady (November 13–15): The special menu includes gently sautéed goose liver, traditional confit goose legs with red and white cabbage, dumplings, alongside other appetizing starters, warming soups, and sweet desserts to complete the meal.
• Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary offers a goose-focused menu paired with a selection of wines.
• Vila Fitz in Pilsen (November 11-15): Features a menu that offers duck pâté in red wine, homemade noodle goose soup with root vegetables, confit goose leg, paired with red cabbage and cranberries, and a delightful pear tart with cloves and meringue for dessert.
• Restaurant Na Kraji lesa (November 11-15): Look forward to an array of duck rillettes, pâtés, kaldoun, confit legs, smoked goose breast, and shredded goose meat.

Market, Gallery, Castle, and Underground Festivities

City markets also join in on the celebration! In Prague, you can experience the St. Martin’s Day festivities at the Náplavka market on Rašín’s Embankment, occurring on November 14 starting at 10 AM. This event will feature young wines from both Czech and Moravian winemakers, alongside roast geese and other tasty delights from this year’s harvest. The celebration will also include live music highlighting classical dulcimer tunes or lively swing rhythms.

In Kutná Hora located in Central Bohemia, the St. Martin’s Feast is scheduled for November 14 at the Monastery of St. Ursula. Attendees can look forward to a diverse selection from reputable winemakers across Bohemia and Moravia, featuring, of course, the young wines from vineyards in the Kolín and Kutná Hora regions. This will be paired with modern gastronomic delights that emphasize local suppliers and seasonal ingredients.

A folk fair featuring dulcimer music awaits attendees at the Zbiroh Chateau. The St. Martin’s Day celebrations here is set to occur in November, with the saint himself making an appearance on horseback.

Traditional St. Martin’s Day festivities will also be happening in Mikulov (November 11-15), Lednice (November 14, Chateau Riding Hall), Znojmo (November 7), or in the historic labyrinth of the wine cellars located in Valtice Underground (on November 14) in the picturesque region of South Moravia.

Wine Festival (October 2 – November 21, 2026) and St. Martin’s wine and menu in Český Krumlov (November 11 – 15, 2026)