While South Moravia excels in white varieties, Velké Pavlovice sub-region stands out as the heart of Moravian red wines, thriving with blue varieties. The wines and the landscape here possess distinct attributes - described as both 'a forestless region without shade' and 'a region of blue mountains.' You'll be enchanted by the lush green nature along the way. Cycling enthusiasts will relish the appealing terrain and expansive vistas, leaving extroverts in awe and introverts uttering an eloquent aaah.
The Hustopeče region is renowned for its vineyards, almonds, and apricots. Studio POParch has situated the new winery, Starý vrch (Old hill), within the apricot orchard in Hustopeče. As they say in the winery - they will greet you amidst the apricots, and you will bid farewell among the almond trees. Their vines are surrounded by hundreds of these fruit trees.
This wine-growing area stands as an oasis of tranquillity amidst nature. The architect Podešva’s building, with its concrete skeleton and gently curving shapes, harmoniously blends with the natural terrain. Natural stone and oak wood exude purity, while the setting against a natural backdrop exudes the welcoming warmth of a private garden. Inside, warm wood, dark stone flooring, and refined black metallic elements grace the public interior, creating an ambiance of sophistication.
The tasting room seamlessly connects to a partially covered terrace overlooking the garden, with a gentle descent of a few steps. Outdoor seating under the apricot canopy provides a perfect retreat from the sun and curious onlookers.
Before you depart from Hustopeče, make sure to visit the Václav (Wenceslas) Winery. From the street Na Hradbách, the building seamlessly aligns with the classic Moravian cellar alley. However, as the locals say, once inside, the old merges with the new, blending historic cellars with modern architecture. Designers from MOMO interior studio and Magda Stolková have masterfully incorporated contemporary materials like concrete, alongside classic elements such as the entrance portal to the cellar, crafted from forged black metal with wine bottles embedded into it. The tasting room artfully combines raw concrete with the comforting warmth of a domestic fireplace.
A striking spiral staircase serves as the centrepiece, connecting three dimensions - the cellar, the tasting room, and the cosy apartments on the first and second floors. Through glass panels between the floors, you can even observe the sky directly from the cellar. The interior is further adorned with artworks by sculptor and carver Jiří Netík, paying homage to the patron saint of the country, St. Wenceslas, who himself made and enjoyed wine.
The winery got its name from the German name of the village Kurdějov, where they built a place for wine, food, and architecture lovers in the vineyard above the church. The winery embraces minimalism, elegance in its purest form, and nature - the same principles apply to their local wines. You can savour these wines on the terrace with breathtaking views of vineyards, barns, meadows, and the fairytale-like church.
Architect Aleš Fiala drew inspiration from the undulating surrounding landscape and incorporated concrete, which complements the softened wood and generous glass surfaces. The terrace, also spacious in size, extends from the main social area, providing you with the perfect backdrop to indulge in the surrounding scenery. Inside, your attention will be drawn to the levitating fireplace inspired by the shape of a wine bottle. Unique elements abound, with a futuristic impression enhanced by the vegetation-covered roof and trees seemingly growing from the concrete core of the building.
At Gurdau Winery, you'll experience gastronomic pop-up events, and a local head chef, with experience from a Michelin-starred restaurant, sets the gastronomic bar incredibly high. The accommodation is also unexpected - luxurious apartments were actually created due to a mistake by the workers, who inadvertently made the house 6 metres longer than originally planned.
Have you ever had wine in the cellars of a duke? No? End your architectural journey with style in the heart of Velké Pavlovice, in the cellars of František of Lorraine. Here, you can even taste grape varieties bred directly in Velké Pavlovice. Lotrinský cellars will take you through architecturally alluring spaces, blending historic cellars with a modern touch. The atmosphere of long, illuminated corridors will be the perfect conclusion to your wine journey. Overseeing the good mood in the main hall is the patroness of these cellars - a sculpture of the Goddess of Wine, carved by Italian artist Roberto Merotto during a carving symposium.
Less than 500 metres away, you can recharge or spend the night at the Lotrinský Hotel. EA architects transformed a decaying baroque granary into a charming hotel with a restaurant. Local craftsmen played a significant role in revitalising this valuable technical monument from the 18th century. They crafted custom interior furnishings and an impressive fountain in front of the snow-white granary entrance. The technical facilities were placed in a new building next to the historic structure, partially hidden underground, with an apricot orchard on the rooftop to ensure harmony with the historical landmark. In the baroque restaurant within the former granary, you can choose between traditional and unconventional dishes or try one of the creations by a local pastry chef.
In the wineries from our article and some others along the way - like the Baraque Wine Gallery in Velké Pavlovice. Besides the wineries, your taste buds will delight in the Amande Restaurant or Mandlárna in Hustopeče, or during the summer season, above Němčičky, at the blue food truck "Mezi Řádky" (where you can also taste local wines). In Velké Pavlovice, you will be hospitably treated to wine and delicious food at the André Pension and Restaurant, which exudes a Tuscan style.
In Hustopeče, visit the lookout tower in the almond orchards and explore the Almond Trail. In Kurdějov, seek out the fortified Church of St. John the Baptist with its underground passages (leading to the municipal wine cellar!). Take a stop at the Němčičky Arboretum or at Ovčí terasy. And in Velké Pavlovice, immerse yourself in nature at the Slunečná Lookout Tower, shaped like a vine bush, and if you have more time, head to the Biocentrum Zahájka.
Ist Ihnen das Thema des Artikels unter die Haut gegangen? Did you get the topic of the article under your skin? Enough theory. Come and discover South Moravia by yourself.
Znojmo, a royal town since the 13th century, showcases a remarkable mix of architectural styles from Romanesque to modern, including Brutalism. No entrance fees are required to explore the city's rich heritage. And we haven't started on the modern temples of winemaking of recent years yet…
The limestone massif of the Pavlov Hills (Pálava) stands as the defining feature of the region. Those who have not been there should return their Moravian tourist passport. The natural metropolis is Mikulov, but other villages also have excellent wine-growing locations, as confirmed by the movie Bobule (Grapes). Among these, Valtice holds a significant position and serves as our starting point.
Slovácko is a region of still living folk traditions and the locals cherish them. Are you expecting one painted cellar with colourful ornaments next to another? Of course, they are here. But now we will talk about wineries in the modern concept, from the austere Nordic simplicity to a mill that is (no longer) a mill at all.
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