At the border between Bzenec and Strážnice, in the Slovácko region, Petr Michálek cultivates about one hectare of vineyards inherited from his parents. The vineyards, planted with varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Večerka, Riesling, and the local Fraštát, are rooted in two distinct soil types – the loess slopes of Bzenec and the flysch layers of Strážnice. A significant portion of the vineyards consists of old vines planted in the 1930s and 1960s, but Petr is planning to plant new plots in the future, with a focus on biodiversity and sustainable practices – Pinot Noir is also in the plans.

Petr teaches and conducts research in cell biology at Mendel University, and he has brought the same precision and attention to detail into his winemaking. From his very first experiments with wine, his approach has been deeply respectful of natural processes – both in the vineyard and in the cellar. A major turning point came after a deeper encounter with natural wine, which he has now been making for over twenty years.

He produces only around 3,000 bottles a year, which allows him to give each batch individual attention and care. Petr Michálek’s wines are raw, layered, and deeply connected to their terroir. This is most evident in wines from Strážnice, where the combination of old vines and flysch subsoil gives rise to wines with mineral precision and structure that beautifully evolve over time.

Oh, and did you know that Petr is also a co-organizer of the Slovácko music festival Beseda u bigbítu? Don’t miss it!