Along the Moravian Wine Trail through Mikulov region – sunny Italy at the foot of the Palava hills

Route tracking:

Jevišovka – Drnholec – Novosedly – Nový Přerov – Březí – Mikulov - Pavlov – Dolní Věstonice – Strachotín - Pouzdřany

Characteristics:

Pálava is a region of unique architecture and rich multicultural history, imprinted spirit of tolerance and abundant Nature wonders. The region offers first-class cycling experiences and the course of the Mikulov wine trail running through Mikulov wine sub-region will help you learn about Moravian borderlands.

Route parameters:

Route difficulty: Turista
Length: 51,4 km
Choosing the right bicycle: Krosové
Tourist area: Lednicko-Valtický areál
Maximum / minimum altitude: m.s.l. / m.s.l.
Total elevation: m
Total of vertical meters ascended: m

Description:

In Jevišovka, a colonisation settlement founded in the 13th century at the confluence of the rivers of Jevišovka and Dyje, the Moravian wine trail, together with Greenways Prague – Vienna enters a Mikulov wine sub-region. It is the largest wine growing area in terms of the total area of vineyards and the size of vineyard complexes. The wine growing activities in the region at the foot of the Palava hills dates back to the times of Roman legions. Particularly the white wines from Palava region excel with quality, distinguished variety character, and a wide variety of tastes. Typical varieties in Mikulov region are Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Blanc. Jevišovka, a settlement having had a life of hardship for centuries, is today a neat and hospitable village at the beginning of the part of the trail which soothes the eye of those who love countryside, architecture, and long-distance views. 

 

Excellently marked Moravian wine trail follows tertiary roads, local roads with asphalt surface as well as packed dirt field roads towards the town of Mikulov. The villages of Drnholec and Novosedly, two of the largest wine making villages in Moravia not only offer a range of wine cellars in their variety and diversity, but they also boast a unique display of the development of ecclesiastical architecture from the Romanesque up to Baroque styles. Behind Drnholec and the bridge over the Dyje the trail turns to Novosedly, where the instructional wine trail Stará hora starts. Eleven boards are located in the vineyards informing of wine growing in the past and today in the village of Novosedly, wine varieties in local vineyards, wine making, Wine Act, and the right way of wine tasting. The acquired knowledge can be tried in practice immediately. Wineries Marcinčák and Kovacs from Novosedly are rated among the most renowned ones in the area.

   

Further south to Czech-Austrian border, the trail follows on the village of Nový Přerov. From the settlement, which separated two worlds not a long time ago and today is a Mecca of cyclists, the trail climbs to Přerov hill. It runs on a good quality asphalt road with a view on vineyards, whose edges are lined with original, unpretentious, and stylish facades of cellars from the 1930s. The long distance views from Přerov hill are soon replaced by a shady forest road running to the village of Dobré Pole. The surface of the following part, 7 km long trail to Mikulov, is among the worst on the whole trail. Dusty field road, uneven concrete panels, remaining parts of asphalt full of potholes. But then you will be rewarded with a marvellous view of the town basking in the sun at the southern feet of the Palava hills. Not only is the medieval town of Mikulov with its chateau, Dietrichstein tomb, and an interesting Jewish quarter a crossroads of cultures, but it is also a town of wine. Ideal natural conditions, excellent vineyard locations and experience of dozens of generations of winemakers give rise to wines of outstanding reputation.    

 

With Mikulov behind your back the Moravian Wine trail climbs along a quiet tertiary road to the village of Klentnice. Before it climbs up to the altitude of 350 m.s.l. through the Palava hills, the trail passes a limestone rock Kočičí skála and offers a view to Stolová hora hill system with ruins of Sirotčí hrádek, Děvín and Děvičky castles. Then, from its highest point in front of Klentnice the trail drops down to a Baroque wine-growing village of Pavlov at the shore of Nové mlýny Lake. The last two villages on the wine trail in Mikulov region are also connected by water. The village Dolní Věstonice with an archaeological exhibition is famous for a discovery of a prehistorical statue of the corpulent Venus, as well as for advanced wine making activities of Anabaptist groups. The trail crosses the lake over a bridge between Dolní (Lower) and Střední (Middle) lakes to the village of Strachotín. Leaving the Strachotín wine cellar colony you come to a romantic part along the lake and then a slight uphill to a renowned wine growing village of Pouzdřany, which is particularly well-known for its production of straw wines. Apart from straw wine production, Pouzdřany boasts a Gothic parish church of St. Nicolas, well-preserved Renaissance house, and a unique steppe. There is also a train connection to Brno and Břeclav.

 

Recommended points of interest:
Drnholec: Renaissance rectory
Novosedly:  church of St. Oldřich with Romanesque foundations, wine nature trail Stará hora  
Nový Přerov: Jáňův dvůr cycling campsite
Mikulov: chateau with a wine exhibition, Dietrichstein tomb, synagogue and Jewish cemetery
Pavlov:  Baroque houses, Děvičky castle ruins
Dolní Věstonice: archaeological exhibition
Pouzdřany: Gothic church of St. Nicolas, Renaissance house, Pouzdřany steppe