GG_N50_FR

CZECH REPUBLIC
DISCOVERY
philosophy based on combining modern practices with traditional methods. Today,
the winery manages 25 hectares in three vineyards. It applies integrated production
principles, using beneficial insects to combat pests and planting the vineyards with
a special herbal mixture to promote biodiversity and soil quality. Maňák Winery
produces approximately a quarter of a million bottles of appellation-only wines (70%
white) and focuses on a great range of grape varieties (35 in all), which is very typical
of wines in the Czech Republic. The winery’s hallmark varietal though is Sauvignon
Blanc, which customers can find both in wood-matured and stainless steel iterations.
It manages some 150 French barriques with an individual capacity of 225 litres for
producing white wines, red wines (especially Pinot Noir) and even straw wines. But
it certainly does not limit its production to wooden barrels. As the winery established
itself in the market, it also grew in terms of facilities and technology. Today, it boasts
the latest technology both in the vineyards and in the winery. It also has a cuttingedge
laboratory to analyse the wine and grapes, which is already an indispensable
part of 21st-century winemaking. This year, an impressive showroom was also added,
where the winery presents both individual wines and popular events focused on
pairing wines with food. Like most wineries in the Czech Republic, the domestic
market is key and Maňák Winery distributes its wines primarily to restaurants and
wine shops. However, direct-to-consumer sales are also buoyant. Its gradual growth
has opened up export markets in neighbouring Poland and Slovakia. Although it is
MAŇÁK WINERY: TWO GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKERS PROMISING TO CONTINUE THE WORK
70 WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE