Winemaker near Litoměřice: a smaller harvest this year, burčák to hit shelves earlier than usual

A winemaker from the Litoměřice region is expecting a smaller grape harvest this year compared to last, and predicts that burčák — the traditional young wine — will go on sale earlier than usual. That's according to Martin Chrabkovský, a representative of the family-run Chrabkovský winery.

He noted that last year's harvest was actually above average, which is one of the reasons the winery has no plans to raise prices this season despite the smaller yield.

Betting on sparkling wines

Rather than expanding its vineyards, the winery has chosen to invest in a new venture — its own prosecco and frizzante. The first bottles of sparkling wine under the family's own brand are expected to reach customers next spring.

The family has no plans to expand its vineyards further: the vines currently cover 10.5 hectares, and that figure is set to stay the same. According to Chrabkovský, Czech winemakers are grappling not only with unpredictable weather but also with a global decline in wine sales. As a result, the winery has decided to focus on marketing and promoting its existing products rather than planting more vines.

From classic varieties to rare finds

The Chrabkovský family winery specializes in wine made from its own grapes, offering both well-known and rarer varieties, including Hibernal, Mopr and Kerner. The range covers both white and red wines.

The winery supplies wine bars and sells its bottles at traditional harvest festivals known as vinobraní. A significant share of the wine, however, is sold directly from the cellar to regular customers.

Source: ekolist.cz