Znojmo wine sub-region

From history to the present day

Much in the same way as other European wine regions do, Znojmo can thank the Romans for its current fame. The first vineyards to be found in this, God's blessed wine region were planted by the Romans. In the rocks above the renowned Šobes vineyard site one can still notice the ruts that were made by the wheels of heavily laden Roman waggons, which travelled here via the trade routes of the day.

The oldest witnesses to Znojmo winemaking are, according to archaeological evidence, monastic chronicles and documents belonging to the Czech rulers. One of these precious documents is the deed dated 25th April 1326 from Bacharach, in which the Czech king John of Luxembourg gave permission to the town of Znojmo to trade in salt and wine, consequently the right to the sale of wine, much in the the same way as the town of Brno had possessed that right for a number of decades already. During the following centuries Znojmo grew, became rich and, thanks to the continuing affection for the town shown by the ruling royal families, was awarded a full range of further privileges. Thanks to these excellent social contacts the wine of Znojmo could regularly be seen on the banqueting tables of the Czech monarchs. Even as late as in the 19th century Veltlínské zelené (Grüner Veltliner) from Znojmo, with its delightful scent of linden flowers and minerally bitter-almond palate, remained one of the favourite wines at the court of the Habsburg emperors in Vienna.

Grape varieties

Znojmo would not be Znojmo without Veltlínské Zelené (Grüner Veltliner). The variety in all probability came from Austria, although other sources claim its origins lie in the valley of Valtellina in northern Italy. Traditionally the variety offers an unbelievably diverse range of wines and in Znojmo you will recognise it as such, right up to the very highest quality category, including such specialities as straw and ice wines. As for other traditional varieties Znojmo is further known for its Müller Thurgau , Sauvignon , Ryzlink rýnský (Riesling), Pálava , Muškát moravský (Moravian Muscat) and Chardonnay . Red varieties are rarer, with Svatovavřinecké (Saint Laurent), Zweigeltrebe , Rulandské modré (Pinot Noir) being the principal grapes under cultivation, while in the area around Dolní Kounice Frankovka (Lemberger a.k.a Blaufränkisch) is to be found.

Vineyards – soils and climate

Znojmo lies on the dividing line between two geological systems. From the west the Czech massif with its schistous soils poor in calcium, phosphorous and magnesium extends into the region, whilst from the south and east it is the Western Carpathians formed mainly from marine clay, freshwater sediments and sand. Very high quality soils have been found on Quarternary loess.

The Bohemian-Moravian Highlands cause in an otherwise very warm and dry region an occasional chill. Due to the interchanging of sunny days and cool nights the grape ripening is somewhat slower, but the fruit then retains its aromatic characteristics. Different soil compositions help create a diverse range of wines, whereby the granitoid subsoil imparts its particular mineral character to them. First-rate vineyards stretch from the south of Znojmo in the area close to Kraví hora in the direction of Hnánice and beyond, follow the Austrian border up to Hrušovany nad Jevišovkou. Important single-vineyard sites also line the valley of the rivers Dyje and Jevišovka, while in the area surrounding Dolní Kounice, the most suitable vineyard sites for growing black grape varieties are to be found on the south-facing slopes of the valley of the river Jihlava.

Of tourist interest

The centre of the region is Znojmo, which was raised to royal status in the year 1226 by king Přemysl Otakar I. Already in the 9th century the fortification constructed on a massive promontory above the River Dyje overlooking today's Znojmo rated among the most significant centres of the Great Moravian Empire and withstood Hungarian attacks even half a century after its end. The historical significance of the town is also testified to by the fact that, after the battle in the Moravian Fields, the body of the Czech king Přemysl Otakar II was enshrined for seventeen years in the crypt of the Znojmo Minorite monastery. Znojmo was favoured too by another Czech ruler, John of Luxembourg, whose son Charles IV also confirmed the privileges bestowed on the Znojmo winemakers by his father, according to which they were allowed to sell their wine in all lands and towns pertaining to the Czech crown other than Prague.

Today's Znojmo can boast its picturesque historical centre with its many important historical landmarks. Among the places of greatest interest are the Gothic cathedral of St. Nicholas, Znojmo castle with its permanent exhibition in the southern Moravian museum, the romanesque rotunda of St. Catherine dating from 1037 with its unique frescoes, the town hall's observation tower and the ample and accessible underground world consisting of several storeys of labyrinthine passages and cellars from the 13th–17th centuries. From April to October the town is toured by a motorised sightseeing train. You should also pay a visit to Loucký klášter , the monastery founded in 1190. You may also visit the museum of winemaking and cooperage and descend to the unique Romano-Gothic crypts beneath the monastery's church.

The source of the river Dyje is upstream in the Podyjí National Park. A deep fluvial valley cuts through steep cliffs covered by thick forests filled with warmth-seeking vegetation and tenanted by an array of protected wildlife. By following the tourist trails you will arrive at Vranov nad Dyjí with its eponymous castle, a much-favoured target of family outings.

To the south of Znojmo lies the village of Šatov and nearby a cellar dug into sandstone with fantastical fairytale walls painted by the local naive artist Maxmillian Appeltauer. Visitors to the labyrinthine corridors of Malovaný sklep (the Painted cellar) see scenes weaved from history, full of fairytale personages and fantastical images.

Znojemská vinařská stezka (Znojmo wine trail) will lead you to a good many other places of outstanding interest. This brings to mind Moravský Krumlov, where the Slavonic epic is displayed in the château. This is a collection of twenty monumental paintings depicting scenes drawn from the history of the Slav nation. Their author is the world-renowned Secessionist artist Alfons Mucha (1860–1939), a native of nearby Ivančice.

The romantic soul of this land is captured by the ruin of the Gothic monastery Rosa Coeli in Dolní Kounice. This picturesque town among the orchards and vineyards of the valley of the River Jihlava possesses many architectural landmarks of outstanding beauty. The most famous of these are the Renaissance château, the orthodox cathedral of St. Barbara and the baroque pilgrims’ chapel of St. Antony, perched high above the town. Notable too is the small Jewish quarter including cemetary and a synagogue housing an exhibition dedicated to the history of the local Jewish community.

This short listing of places of interest cannot chronicle the entire richness of the historical, cultural and natural treasures of the region. There are plenty of other possibilities, such as going swimming in the Znojmo area. You can follow the cycle paths either on foot or by bicycle… Further information can be found in the recommended references below. > Directory of winemakers of the Znojmo sub-region
Directory of wine-related tourist destinations in the Znojmo sub-region:
> winemaking museums
> matters of wine-related interest
> calendar of wine-related events
> Directory of other tourist destinations and services in the Znojmo sub-region on www.jizni-morava.cz

Wine trails in the Znojmo sub-region:

Znojmo wine trail , Brno wine trail , Moravian wine trail

Recommended www pages with tourist information and wine-tourism programmes in Czech and English:

www.znojmocity.cz - official web pages of the town of Znojmo. Here you will find a range of information on history, landmarks and matters of tourist interest. The pages also contain a cultural calendar and database of services including accommodation.

www.sklepniulicky.cz - invitations to visit wine villages in the south of the Znojmo region, which are affiliated with the union of wine communes of Daníž. On these web pages you will be rewarded with information on wine cellars, matter of tourist interest and services offered.

www.nppodyji.cz - official web pages of the administration of Podyjí National Park. Apart from detailed information on natural conditions you will also find a large number of matters of interest, maps and 3D animation of the terrain including a virtual transit through the canyon of the River Dyje.

www.mkrumlov.cz - ofifcial web pages of the town of Moravský Krumlov. Here you will find information on landmarks, matters of tourist interest as well as services offered.

www.mesto-miroslav.cz - information server of the town of Miroslav. These pages are not directly aimed at tourism, though you will find information on local history here. At the present time information on services is lacking.

www.ivancice.cz - official web pages of the town of Ivančice. Here you will find information on landmarks, matters of tourist interest, services and an extensive presentation of cycle paths in the surrounding areas including maps.

www.dolnikounice.cz - official web pages of the town of Dolní Kounice. You will be rewarded with much information from the rich history of the commune and on local landmarks. Unfortunately contacts for accomodation and other services are still missing.

www.hrusovansko.cz - official web pages of the Hrušovansko region with plenty of tourist information íncluding details of tourist programmes and accommodation.

www.znovin.cz - on these web pages you will find information on the full range of wine tourism programmes run by the Znovín Znojmo winery.

Tourist information centres and information on wine-related matters:

Tourist information centre Znojmo
Obroková 10, 669 01 Znojmo, tel: 515 222 552
e-mail: tic@beseda.znojmo.cz, www.znojmocity.cz

Visitors and information centre Znovín Znojmo, a.s.
Loucký klášter, 669 02 Znojmo, tel: 515 267 458
e-mail: znovin@znovin.cz, www.znovin.cz

Wine information centre – Ampelos, a.s., Vrbovec cellars
tel.: 515 230 103, e-mail: info@ampelos.cz
www.ampelos.cz

Visitors and information centre NP Podyjí – Čížov
971 02 Čížov, tel: 515 291 630
e-mail: infocentrum@nppodyji.cz, www.nppodyji.cz

Tourist information centre Moravský Krumlov
Smetanova 167, 672 01 Moravský Krumlov
tel.: 515 321 064, e-mail: morkrum.info@volny.cz
www.mkrumlov.cz

Municipal cultural and information centre Miroslav
nám. Svobody 13, 671 72 Miroslav
tel.: 515 333 201, e-mail: urad@mesto-miroslav.cz
www.mesto-miroslav.cz

Cultural and information centre Ivančice
Palackého nám. 12, 664 91 Ivančice
tel.: 546 451 870, e-mail: kic@selfnet.cz
www.ivancice.cz

Cultural and information centre of the town of Dolní Kounice
Masarykovo nám. 2, 664 64 Dolní Kounice
tel.: 546 420 005, e-mail: kic@dolnikounice.cz
www.dolnikounice.cz

Tourist information centre Hrušovany
nám. Míru 22, 671 67 Hrušovany nad Jevišovkou
tel.: 515 229 897, e-mail: info@hrusovansko.cz
www.hrusovansko.cz

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