Sip & Stroll: Vineyards Just Outside Prague

The Magic of Terroir

Grape variety alone doesn’t define a wine’s flavor—terroir does. It leaves a unique local imprint, shaped by soil, climate, terrain, microclimate, and the winemaker’s touch.

Soil composition, mineral richness, and water retention matter. Climate brings temperature, sunlight, rainfall, and altitude. Terrain influences slope, orientation, and proximity to water. Microclimate governs air flow, humidity, fog, and day-to-night temperature shifts. Finally, the winemaker adds skill, methods, and tradition. These factors combine to create wines with distinct character. Explore Central Bohemia’s vineyards and discover the diverse terroir of nearly a hundred plots.

Central Bohemia – The Mělník Wine Subregion

Although the name points to Mělník, this royal town is far from the only place with vineyards. Kutná Hora is another important wine center in Central Bohemia.

Vineyards also thrive at Karlštejn, in Klučov near Český Brod, in Kvíc by Slaný, in Ždánice on the Černokostelecko, and many other villages across the region.

Viticulture here isn’t new—its roots stretch back to the 9th century, to the early days of the Czech state. Wine culture has even shaped local place names, such as Vinaře, Vinice, and Vinařice.

A Vineyard Getaway From Prague

You don’t have to go all the way to South Moravia—wine tourism in Central Bohemia is booming. New vineyards and wineries are popping up, and many winemakers now welcome visitors with guided tastings, local delicacies, cellar tours, and cultural events.

Dream of waking up to a view of the vines? Or sipping a glass of wine among the grapevines at sunset? Some wineries even offer accommodation, and caravan spots are becoming more common.

Highlights include Vinařství Klučov near Český Brod, Vinařství Válkovi at the Turbovice vineyard estate, Jeviněveské Vinařství, University Wine Centre in Mělník, and Řepínský Vinohrad Štěpán.

Mělník Wine Region

Mělník is the heart of Central Bohemian winemaking, where new generations of winemakers learn their craft on the school vineyards. This historic town, seen in many films, is also a charming destination for a day trip—and you can even arrive by boat.

The town is dominated by its castle, surrounded by vineyards. In the past, it was home to 23 Czech queens and princesses. One of them, Elisabeth of Pomerania, wife of King Charles IV, commissioned a chapel here dedicated to St. Ludmila. Tours of the castle reveal beautifully preserved rooms and the Lobkowicz family collection, including a remarkable set of 17th-century maps of European cities.

Wine lovers will enjoy exploring the historic castle cellars and tasting Chateau Mělník wines in the enoteca. Don’t miss the traditional Ludmila wine, served in unique inkwell-shaped bottles.

What to See in Mělník

Mělník’s underground is a must-see, hiding treasures like a medieval well. For stunning views, climb the tower of the Church of St. Peter and Paul, where you can see nearby Říp, the Central Bohemian Highlands, and the Polabí region.

The Prague Gate at the town square offers a unique experience: inside the tower, the Gallery in the Tower and a café serve coffee, pastries, and local Mělník wines via a hand-operated lift.

Don’t miss the iconic view from the castle over the vineyard toward the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers—especially magical at sunset.

Wine Exhibition at the Museum

Begin your wine journey at the Regional Museum on the town square, featuring a small but fascinating wine exhibition. Highlights include a guild banner, a winemaker’s master badge called a ferule, and the original statue of St. Wenceslas, once placed in the historic Svatováclavská vineyard in Dřísy.

End your visit at the museum’s cozy café, enjoying retro pastries and wines from local producers. The museum also offers its own wine, crafted in collaboration with Kraus Winery in Mělník.

Where to Go for Wine and Winemakers

Winemakers in the Mělník region are part of the Mělnický košt association, which organizes popular regular events. In spring, they welcome visitors to the town square for Vinná noc (Wine Night), featuring tastings of young wines from Mělník’s winemakers. In August, you can join them at the Mělnický košt, a celebration of Mělník wines and local gastronomy.

The town of Mělník also hosts the renowned Mělnické vinobraní every year. This three-day wine festival is full of music, great wine, and memorable experiences, including a large historical procession featuring figures like King Přemysl Otakar II and St. Ludmila.

You can also meet winemakers and taste their wines in a more intimate setting—directly at their wineries or wine shops. So, where should you go first?

Mělník’s Kraus Winery

If you ask around Mělník where to find good wine, you’ll often hear, “Go to Kraus.” This family-run winery is now in its third generation. The tradition began with Professor Vilém Kraus, a renowned grape breeder, university lecturer, and author of numerous publications on winemaking.

Wines from Kraus Winery can be tasted daily at the Kraus Wine Bar in the center of Mělník. If you’re visiting with friends, book a guided tasting in advance—either in the historic tasting cellar or directly in the Klamovka vineyard, where you can enjoy a terrace with panoramic views. Seasonal events are also held here, such as the popular Vinobraní mezi řádky (“Harvest Between the Vines”).

Bettina Lobkowicz Winery

This winery, full of French charm, is located right on the Elbe River near the Mělník harbor. It’s the largest winery in the area, with vineyards on twelve plots, including the historic Trojslava and Klamovka, already mentioned during the reign of Charles IV.

Bettina Lobkowicz Winery is easily reached by bike along the Elbe cycle rout or on a pleasant walk from the town center through the vineyards beneath the castle. The winery welcomes visitors daily, with at least six samples available for casual tastings.

You can sit and enjoy tastings with views of the river, surrounded by roses and lavender—perhaps all day. The winery offers interesting barrel-aged wines as well as sparkling wines, all certified as POLABÍ regional products.

They also have a special treat: Verjus [pronounced ver-zhoo]. Alcohol-free, packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and delightfully tart, it’s made from unripe Pinot Noir grapes. Perfect for cocktails, food pairings, or fresh salads.

Válkovi Winery

A young winery with a Tuscan flair, Válkovi Winery is located at the Turbovice vineyard estate on the outskirts of Mělník. The owners have gradually restored the original dilapidated chateau, along with its most valuable artifact—a historic beam press.

Visitors can enjoy guided winery tours, various workshops, or even rooftop yoga. In the cozy Cantina, you can savor wines alongside local delicacies, and guided tastings can be paired with a picnic in the vineyard.

Want to stay longer? Accommodation is available right among the vines in apartments named after grape varieties. From the panoramic terrace, enjoy a glass of wine at sunset over Říp or a morning coffee in the first light of day.

Winery by Bohemian Paradise

If you’re wandering through the beautiful Bohemian Paradise, stop in Jivina near Mnichovo Hradiště. Here you’ll find the northernmost winery in Central Bohemia—Winery by Bohemian Paradise. Wines labeled LPJ can be tasted during guided tastings in the stylish new winery building. The winery also includes a shop for regional products, where you can purchase all wines from the current selection. All wines are certified as Bohemian Paradise regional products.

Jeviněves Winery

Near Mělník lies one of the oldest vineyard plots in the Czech Republic, mentioned as early as the 13th century. Today it belongs to Jeviněves Winery, a small but charming estate. Stop by for a glass of wine during a day trip, or book a smaller or larger guided tasting in advance. The winery hosts occasional cultural events and even traditional harvest celebrations.

You can stay overnight in one of their rooms or park your own caravan. In summer, the garden comes alive with cyclists and pilgrims, as it sits directly on the Blaník–Říp pilgrimage route.

Kutná Hora Wine Region

The eastern part of the region, Kutná Hora, offers a wine-growing counterpart to Mělník. The area benefits from the warm climate, enriched by abundant water from the Elbe River, numerous ponds, and sandy lakes. Hills from Posázaví and the nearby Iron Mountains rise on three sides. The nutrient-rich, well-drained soil is perfect for vineyards.

What to See in Kutná Hora

Kutná Hora is a beautiful town steeped in history and royal grandeur, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are so many sights and landmarks that a single day is hardly enough to explore them all.

The town’s prosperity was built on silver mining, a legacy still visible today. Visit the Czech Museum of Silver to explore a medieval mine, or stop by the Italian Court, where the famous Prague groschen were once minted.

A view of the iconic St. Barbara’s Church is unforgettable. Next door, in the former Jesuit College, you’ll find GASK – the Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region – featuring a mix of permanent and temporary art exhibitions. Stop by the gallery café for coffee from a local roaster.

Don’t miss the Sedlec district, home to the famous ossuary and cathedral designed by the renowned architect Santini Aichel.

Where to Go for Wine and Winemakers

Local winemakers call themselves KuKo, after the Kutnohorsko–Kolínsko tourist area. This informal association organizes joint events, the most popular being Wine Night. Held on the eve of the Kutná Hora Silver Festival by St. Barbara’s Church, it brings winemakers and wine enthusiasts together to taste the best wines from the region, accompanied by live music.

Wine Cellars of Kutná Hora

The two-generation Rudolf family winery is reviving the winemaking tradition in the Kutná Hora region. They maintain this tradition in both vineyard management and wine production, farming biodynamically and holding the prestigious Demeter certification—the only winery in the country to do so.

The winery’s vineyards stretch across three hills around Kutná Hora, with the most beautiful located in the town center on the slopes near St. Barbara’s Church. At the winery stand, you can enjoy a glass of wine right among the vines, with stunning views of the historic landmarks.

Be sure to visit the winery itself, housed in the historic premises of the St. Ursula Monastery. Guided tastings include cellar tours, and if you’re lucky, the owner might play piano during your tasting. The wine shop also offers local specialties, such as cheeses from Farma Bláto, jams, and chutneys.