DEAR FRIENDS,

The Czech Republic turns its friendly face to its visitors. The days of monotonous gray are gone, people’s behaviour has changed, and much of what our country can offer to overseas visitors has changed, too. For guite some time the Czech Republic has been more than just a place of majestic historical landmarks and beautiful countryside. It has become a modern touristdestination where you can find everything necessary to enjoy your visit no matter whether a day or a month and to which you will gladly keep returning. I am proud that among the reasons that have made the Czech Republic a sought-after destination is our wines. It is not the total wine-growing area, it is rather the high guality of this wines. A regular wine consumer cannot see how much skill and hard work it has taken and how long the path was to bring Czech and Moravian wines pri-zes from world competitions and above all to satisfied customers.

After almost twenty years of costly investment, vintners have uplifted their wine standards to such a level that they can face competition from grand wines from all over the world. Above all, South Moravia is the votive land of wine. The vineyards’ ridges shape the landscape, be it around Pálava or Znojmo. The traditional colour of Velké Pavlovice and Slovácko is unthinkable without picturesgue wine cellars - often creating entire villages - where each cellar houses wine that reflects the character of the human being that created it. Vineyards and great wines can also be found in Bohemia, both on the steep slopes along the river Labe, and right in the capital city, Prague. Attentive visitors can discover vineyards in Prague’s Troja and Vinohrady, and even in the very heart of the former Lands of the Czech Crown, Prague Castle. There they can find the charming ambience of the St. Wenceslas Vineyard.

However, wine is to be enjoyed, first and foremost. This is why I would like to invite all visitors to the Czech Republic not to miss such an experience. When visiting the Czech Republic, wines from Moravia and Bohemia are definitely crucial.

Ing. Jaroslav Machovec

The Wine Fund of the Czech Republic