Dobra Vinice

Dobra Vinice is an exceptional winery in Moravia, Czech Republic, just a stone’s throw from the Austrian border. Under the leadership of Petr Nejedlík and his wife Andrea Nejedlíková, the estate is part of the ‘Authentists’ group. It therefore adheres to a charter based on the principles of biodynamics. It is also one of the pioneers of natural winemaking in Moravia. The estate produces wines in harmony with nature, crafted by hand and without the use of chemicals. Furthermore, Dobrá Vinice produces wines using an 8,000-year-old technique in Georgian amphorae (Qvevri).

Dobra Vinice, in the vineyard

Dobra Vinice cultivates 16 hectares within the Podyjí National Nature Park. The soils are highly varied, consisting mainly of gneiss, granite and flint. The healthy grapes are grown using organic and biodynamic methods:

• Exclusively organic products
• Natural products (including nettles, horsetails, etc.)
• 100% organic fertiliser (horse and cow manure) and mineral fertiliser
• Hand-tending the vines
• Harvested exclusively by hand
• Yield of less than 45 hl/ha

Dobra Vinice, at the winery

Dobra Vinice uses the Kartuli method, a traditional Georgian method of winemaking. It involves the fermentation and ageing of white and red wines on the skins for several months. This results in remarkable stability and longevity in the wine. No preservatives or other additives are required in the production of this type of wine. There is no need for filtration or other interventions in the wine or must.

Most of the grapes are pressed whole prior to these long periods of skin contact. In oak barrels or earthenware jars (Qvevri from Georgia). Only natural (indigenous) yeasts are used. No chemicals or sulphur are used during fermentation and ageing. The wines are not fined and are lightly filtered or unfiltered. A small amount of sulphur is sometimes added during bottling.

The Georgian Qvevri amphora

Qvevri are unglazed clay vessels used for the fermentation and long-term ageing of wine on the skins. As they are unglazed, the vessels breathe naturally and gently oxidise the wine. This results in ideal maturation and stabilisation of the wine. The vessels must be buried in sand.

Ancient artefacts prove that the cradle of wine lies in what is now Georgia. For over seven thousand years, wine has been stored in uniquely shaped clay jars. By combining three elements – water, clay (earth) and fire – Georgian craftsmen are able to transform them into giant vessels of exceptional beauty. The history of this ancient wine culture is reflected here.

The capacity of these qvevri containers that have arrived at Dobra Vinice is now nearly 6,000 litres.

A few photos of the Dobra Vinice estate