Prague vineyards and viniculture
Prague and vineyard – who would put it together? But now we are going to tell you about vineyards, located right in my heart. Probably nobody would expect vineyards in the middle of Prague but they are there and they even have a long tradition. King Charles IV deserves the greatest credit for the development of viniculture on the territory of Prague in the 14th century. During the reign of Rudolf II the winery reached its heyday and they called me “the city of wine”. Nowadays I can boast 5 vineyards, some dating back as early as the 12th century. You can taste wine in Havlíčkove sady, also called Gröbovka, in Troja on the vineyard of St. Klára or under the Prague Castle, on the Svatováclavské vineyard.
The Svatováclavská vinice vineyard is a small one, but it has a nice location on a rocky promontory above the Old Castle Stairs between Klarov and Jelení příkop. Under the cover of night the vineyard is nicely illuminated by the lamps of the Old Castle Stairs, that creates a mysterious atmosphere. You can often meet couples here, seating on the low staircase wall and enjoying my beautiful sights. The restored Saint Wenceslas Vineyard is supposed to be the oldest in Bohemia. Originally, the "divine vineyard" was reputedly cultivated by the patron saint of the Czech nation, Prince Wenceslas. The renovated vineyard was opened to visitors to Prague Castle in the year marking the 1100th anniversary of Saint Wenceslas's birth. In the current time St.Wenceslas vineyard is planted with delicious grapes of Pinot Noir and Rhine Riesling. The Pinot Noir grape is cultivated here in honor of Charles IV, who brought this variety from France to Bohemia.
The vineyard of St.Klara will remind us the former glory of Prague viniculture. As I recall this vineyard was originally connected to the Troja Castle, that was built in 1678 – 1685 for the Count of Sternberg Václav Vojtěch. It is said to be one of the most beautiful vineyards in Prague. Specially recently this vineyard has been cultivated and thoroughly trimmed and bears fruit in autumn every year. At this time of year a traditional Troja vintage is held here including fortified wine tasting.
The Vinohrady district is so named because the area was once covered in vineyards dating from the 14th century. There is a vineyard with modest 1,5 hectares still in production in Gröbovka Park, next to Havlíčkovy Sady. The varieties grown at Gröbovka are Pinot gris, Mueller-Thurgau, Rhine Riesling, Dornfelder and Pinot noir and the produce is available right there at the vineyard- in the Wine palillon- Viniční altán with a splendid view of Prague.
It is not necessary to go to Morava region for wine. You can taste wonderful wine also here in my vineyards. People say:
"“Good wine makes good blood, good blood makes good mood, good mood brings good thoughts, good thoughts create good deeds and good deeds make man to be a human.”
