📍 Mělník

Mělník is a wine district in Czechia, in the Central Bohemian Region, on slopes above the confluence of the two longest Czech rivers, the Vltava and the Elbe. The town of Mělník, with about 20,000 inhabitants, is among the longest continuously inhabited places in the country and a major river port. The district belongs to Bohemia and is part of Czechia. Wine-growing Bohemia is small: Moravia holds about 96% of all Czech vineyards.

Winemaking here was, according to tradition, begun by Prince Bořivoj and his wife Ludmila: they planted the first Bohemian vineyards near Mělník. Mělník still holds a wine festival at the end of September, on the feast of St Wenceslas.

Today the district grows Pinot Noir (called Rulandské Modré in Czechia) and Riesling. Pinot Noir gives light, elegant reds, and Riesling fresh, aromatic whites.

Mělník is famous for its historic centre, which is protected as an urban monument zone, and the vineyards add to its charm. Mělník was granted town status in 1274 and later became a dowry town ruled by the queens of Bohemia.

The Mělník subregion has 40 wine municipalities and 326 ha of vineyards. Mělník town alone accounts for 110 ha, a third of the subregion. All of Bohemia has only about 710 ha, under 4% of Czech vineyards. The local VOC allows Rhine Riesling, Müller-Thurgau and Pinot Noir, or a blend of the two whites, so the choice on a shelf is narrow and clear.