Litoměřice Wine Trail
The area through which the Litoměřice Wine Trail route passes is undoubtedly one of the richest in terms of nature and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in the Protected Landscape Area of the Central Bohemian Uplands.
The official beginning of the Litoměřice Wine Trail is in the yard of Litoměřice Castle, but you may join it anywhere and follow just some parts of it. Its total length is over 15 kilometres and it runs on both banks of the Labe river.
There are nine information boards along the trail that will guide you through the interesting places of the wine-producing region of Litoměřice. From Litoměřice, it will take you to the top of Radobýl hill, where you will find one of the boards. It continues to Žalhostice, Velké Žernoseky, then - taking a ferry - to Malé Žernoseky, and through Lhotka village to Lovosice where the Litoměřice Wine Trail finishes.
Following the trail, you may have a chance to visit the well-known local wine producers and taste their wines. We believe that you will enjoy the trip and love the wine.
Stops
Velké Žernoseky – Main Square
The fourth stop of the Litoměřice wine trail is located directly in the center of a traditional wine village of Velké Žernoseky. The vineyards in Velké Žernoseky were first mentioned in the middle of the 13th century, but they were probably founded at the end of the 12th century.
In 1143, Dozens of monks from the Steinfeld monastery on the river Rhine were called upon by the Czech King Vladislav II. to build vineyards in the area of the Velké Žernoseky. Today, the vineyards are located in several places, there are vineyards called Malá Vendule, Velká Vendule, Mariánská, Pod Třešňovkou or Kostelní. Most of the local vineyards were dismantled in the 20th century. We will learn more about the vineyards at the next stop. But now to the winemakers themselves. There are several wineries in the village of Velké Žernoseky.
The largest winery is Žernosecké vinařství s.r.o. based in the local castle. This company, which is located just a few tens of meters from you, has been operating since 1995, when it continued the production of the Wine Breeding Station in Velké Žernoseky. Today, in the chateau winery, it is possible to buy local wine, stay, organize a social event, take an excursion to the historic cellars and, of course, also taste wine.
Another winemaker in Velké Žernoseky is Pavel Hrabkovský, who continued the activities of his father (Antonín Hrabkovský senior) and now continues to develop a beautiful winemaking tradition with his son.
The family winery Mikulenkovi - Pod Třešňovkou was established in 1990 and offers tastings, accommodation in a boarding house, but also interesting events, such as a vine cutting course, Welcoming Spring to the Vineyard or interesting music events. Visitors to this winery can use the beautiful interior of the tasting room, sitting on the porch or farmhouse, where they can enjoy the nice and varied wines of the family winery Mikulenko.
The Porta Bohemica winery is one of the youngest wineries in Velké Žernoseky, it was established only in 2010. A relatively young winery tries to practically use natural methods, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Porta Bohemica winery specializes mainly on dry white wines. All of these winemakers can be visited in Velké Žernoseky and you can taste their excellent wines.
WHERE TO CONTINUE NOW?
The wine trail continues to the Velké Žernoseky port, where there is another stop with an information board. Then continue by ferry to the other bank of the Elbe to Malé Žernoseky, where the trail continues. The ferry can be used in the summer season (usually from April to the end of October).
If you took the wine trail in the opposite direction, then a slight ascent between the vineyards awaits you. Then continue towards Žalhostice. At harvest time, the road through the vineyards is closed. During this period, continue along the road until the next stop on the wine trail. We ask visitors to behave responsibly towards winemakers and not destroy their crops.
Tips for tourist destinations in the area
- The ruins of the Kamýk castle
- Plešivec
- Varhošť