How To Visit 3 Vineyards Near Brno On An Easy Self-Guided Wine Tour, Czech Republic   

Czech Republic has the world’s biggest beer consumption per capita, and with internationally exported names like Pilsner and Budweiser Budvar, it’s no secret their beer is top-notch. 

However, the wine from Czech Republic is equally as good and home to no less than 1200 wineries! You’d be a fool not to try it while you’re here. 

The great news is that there are several vineyards near Brno that you can easily visit. This article focuses on a self-guided wine tour and visits three fabulous vineyards. It makes for a great full-day trip from Brno.

South Moravia Self-Guided Wine Tour

Although there are numerous South Moravia vineyards to choose from, I picked these because they were easily accessible by train and an easy addition to my Brno itinerary.

Not only were these vineyards close to Brno, but they were also in the same village, so it was easy to walk between them without needing to rely on a local bus or taxi.

If you’re looking for top things to do in Czech Republic which escape the main tourist crowds, then this is it.

Vineyard Visit Self-Guided Tour

• Sonberk Winery
• Gotberg Winery
• Židek Winery

How To Visit Three Great Vineyards Near Brno

If you do a quick web search, you’ll find no shortage of Czech Republic wine tours, especially in the south of the country.

However, the problem with booking a tour is that you’re on someone else’s schedule, and often there feels a bit on the pushy side to buy wine, as often the tour companies are on a commission. This self-guided tour bypasses all that.

A Note About This Self-Guided Tour

Before you start, it’s worth knowing that this tour involves walking. I absolutely love walking, so this wasn’t a problem for me, however, if you have mobility issues (or just hate walking) then this self-guided tour might not be for you. Alternatively, use a taxi to get between the vineyards.

The route involves a 7km (approx 4.5mile) loop trail which undulates through the vine-laden hills. The routes mostly follow country roads with little traffic on them. The route is split between the three vineyards; Sonberk, Gotberg and Zidek, and starts and ends at Popice Train Station.

So, put on a pair of comfy shoes, and enjoy this walk in the beautiful South Moravian countryside whilst stopping off to sip on a glass (or two) of delicious wine.

Getting to Popice

To make the most out of this day, aim to leave Brno by about mid-morning. This will give you enough time to enjoy this day at a comfortable pace and allow for a decent time to stop and enjoy each of the vineyards. 

There are a few wineries close to Brno, but this was the easiest one to get to and see other vineyards, without the use of a car. If you have longer in the region, then you can find out more about other great day trips from Brno.

Getting to the village of Popice is easy. Trains depart from the main train station in Brno. Take the S3 line south to Popice. Popice is located about 30km south of Brno. The journey takes around 45 minutes and makes 9 stops along the way. Buy your return ticket at the station.

Once you arrive, it really does feel like the middle of nowhere. Go up the steps and head left (over the train bridge) this will lead you into the sleepy village of Popice. From here, you have the option of either catching the local bus or walking (I walked) to the entrance road of Sonberk Winery. 

Vinyard 1 – Sonberk Winery

If you’re walking to Sonberk Winery, follow the main road in a southeast direction, it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to this junction of the main entrance to the Sonberk driveway. If you opted for the bus, there is a bus stop near this junction.

There’s a big sign that says ‘Sonberk’ so you’ll know exactly which side of the road it is. Follow the long, straight driveway up to the main building.

This is one of the most popular wineries near Brno, it’s set up on a hillside looking down over the vineyards and to the lake and Pálava Hill in the distance. The main building itself is stunning, it was designed by award-winning architect, Josef Pleskot.

It has seating indoors and out on the terrace, balcony and in deck chairs out the front – of course, I opted for a deck chair!

You can book a full-on wine tour here to get a behind-the-scenes look at the whole wine-making process from the vineyards right up to bottling. You can also opt for a tasting session of up to six different wines, or buy just a single glass of their wine.

Over 130,000 bottles of wine are produced here from their hand-harvested grapes every year. The winery opened in 2003 and is set in 45 hectares of vineyards you can walk among.

This vineyard is the most popular of the three on this list, so can get busy as it’s a meeting point for car enthusiasts and sports car lovers. You’ll also notice its popular stop with cyclists on part of a cycling-wine route.

Vinyard 2 – Gotberg Winery

When you’re finished at Sonberk, take the 2.5km walk to Gotberg Winery, it should take around half an hour, depending on how often you stop to look at the view.

To get here, leave the main gate, of Sonberk and go right. This will lead you on a meandering, long gravel road passing vineyards and farmhouses.

Eventually, you’ll get to a junction. Go right here, and follow the hill up and around the bend, you’ll be able to see the building for Gotberg from here.

Of the two, I personally preferred this winery. It was much quieter, and at one point, I even had the whole terrace to myself.

I also preferred the nice touch of serving your wine with a jug of lightly infused water to cleanse your mouth, and also the fresh grapes, from their vineyard, to nibble on. These little extras totally made the experience here. 

A relative newcomer to the South Moravian wine scene is Gotberg Winery. It was established in 2003 and started marketing its wines in 2010. Again, like with Sonberk, the building is beautiful and actually won a prestigious award for “Best Industrial Design in the South Moravian Region for 2009”. 

The main terrace out the front gives views of the Czech Republic countryside, Pavlov Hill and the Nové Mlýny (Mušov) Lakes. You can book a wine-tasting experience that takes place in their stunning cellar tasting room, as well as stay overnight in one of their seven onsite guest rooms.

You can enjoy the wines without booking a tour, and either opt for their tasting menu or by the glass.

Vinyard 3 – Židek Winery

From Gotberg Winery, retrace your steps back down the hill to the junction. From here, keep heading down and into the village of Popice towards Židek Winery.

It’s signposted once you’re in the village. The walk is about 1.5km and should take about 20 minutes.

This was the most traditional-looking winery of the three I visited and was set in a more rustic farm-style building with a large terrace, and undercover area. You can also book accommodation here and stay the night in the farm building.

Židek Winery is also the longest-established vineyard in the area, with winemaking dating back for generations. 

Guided wine tastings and cellar tours can be booked or, like with the two other wineries, just enjoy it by the glass. If you walk around the back of the building, and the roller doors are open, you can see quite a lot of the wine-making factory without doing the tour inside.  

Getting Back To Brno

From Židek Winery, you’re only about a 10-minute walk from the Train Station.

From the winery, head downhill and back to the main road that runs through Popice village. Pick up the train on the village side of the station (don’t cross over the bridge)

Catch the same train, the S3 line, back to Brno. The reverse journey takes the same 45 minutes.

Planning To Visit The South Moravia Wineries?

Are you planning on doing a self-guided wine tour of any other wineries in South Moravia region or visiting any other vineyards near Brno?

I really enjoyed my day out, exploring the countryside and vineyards near Popice, and if you’re a wine drinker visiting Brno and fancy trying some great Czech wine, certainly allow a day to add this to your itinerary.

If you’re visiting Brno or exploring the southern Czech Republic, then take a look at these other inspirational guides to help plan your trip. 

• 14 Ideas For Your Brno Bucket List
• Great Things To Do Near Brno, 7  Easy Day Trips
• The Complete One Day in Brno Itinerary
• Czech Republic Bucket List – 30+ Great Places To Visit