Czech wine regions: Moravia, Bohemia and the six subregions on the map

Czech wine hides in plain sight. It is on every restaurant list, but the map behind it is rarely explained. Here it is.

Two regions

Czech wine law divides the country into two wine regions: Moravia (Morava) and Bohemia (Čechy). The regions are divided into subregions, and the subregions into villages and vineyard sites. The word on a label is usually the subregion or the village, so learning the six subregions gets you most of the way.

Moravia

Moravia is in the south-east of the country, towards Austria and Slovakia. It is the larger and warmer of the two regions, and most of the country's vineyards are here. Its four subregions are Mikulov, Slovácko, Velkopavlovicko and Znojmo.

The landscape is gentle hills and rows of vines stretching from village to village. Cellar lanes (vinné sklepy) are a cultural attraction in their own right. Producers in each subregion make both white and red wines, and the character of any bottle depends on the grower and the vintage more than on a subregion label. Treat the map as a way to choose a place to visit, not a promise of taste.

Bohemia

Bohemia is the smaller region, around the towns of Mělník and Litoměřice, north of Prague. It has fewer vineyards and a cooler climate than Moravia. Mělník sits where the Vltava meets the Elbe, and wine has been grown around it for a long time.

Prague itself has a few vineyards within the city, including the one at Troja and the St Wenceslas vineyard by Prague Castle. They are small and often open for events. They are not where your glass of wine comes from, but they are a good way to see vines without leaving the city.

What to look for

The honest answer is that the best guide to Czech wine is the grower, not the subregion. Producers differ, and the weather changes the vintage. Use the region as a way to explore: choose two subregions, buy a bottle from each, and compare. The differences are usually clearer than you expect.

Moravia's climate is warmer and its vineyards far larger. Bohemia's are smaller and cooler. That is the safe summary, and anything more specific is better taken from a grower who is pouring the wine in front of you.

A simple way to explore

You do not need to memorise six names. Start with one subregion that is easy to reach and one that sounds unfamiliar, and treat every bottle as a conversation with the grower. Write the producer's name on your phone, not just the village; the producer is what you will search for next time. Wine shops and bars in Prague often run tastings that put several subregions side by side, and a short flight tells you more about the map than a page of description.

If you visit, remember that many cellars are small family operations. Ring or message ahead, ask whether they are open, and buy a bottle rather than only tasting. It is the polite thing to do, and it supports the grower.

How to read a label

A label gives the grape variety, vintage, sugar level and producer. Quality wines carry a regional or subregional name. Sweetness runs from suché (dry) to sladké (sweet). For more on grapes, burčák and quality categories, read Moravian wine for beginners.

How to visit

Moravia is a destination for cycling and cellar visits. Many villages hold open-cellar days in spring and autumn, with dates posted by the region. Check the Wines of Czechia website and local tourist offices for current events (as of 2026; check the official source). Bohemia is closer, so Mělník works as a day trip from Prague, with the river view as a bonus.

If you are planning a trip, book a night in a wine town, ask the cellar about their opening hours and keep one person sober to drive, or use the train and cycle.

Buying in Prague

Wine shops list the region on the label. A shop assistant can find you a bottle from a specific subregion if you ask. Wine bars often have a short list by the glass, which is the cheapest way to compare regions.

Common mistakes

Assuming that Czech wine means sweet wine is the first. Dry wines are common, though a polosuché can taste sweeter than expected. The second is treating Moravia and Bohemia as equals in volume: they are not, and you will find far more Moravian wine on a list. The third is buying a case on a first visit. Taste first, with a small bottle or a glass, and order more from the producer if you like it.

Frequently asked questions

How many wine regions does Czechia have?

Two: Moravia and Bohemia.

What are the Moravian subregions?

Mikulov, Slovácko, Velkopavlovicko and Znojmo.

What are the Bohemian subregions?

Mělník and Litoměřice, north of Prague.

Are there vineyards in Prague?

Yes, small ones, including one at Troja and the St Wenceslas vineyard by Prague Castle.

Where can I check producers and events?

On the Wines of Czechia website and the Wine Fund site.

Do this today

Pick two subregions from the list, order a glass from each at a wine bar or shop, and note which you prefer.