ℹ️ **Practical tips – Journey for Burčák**

### Route – on foot or by bike?

- **On foot**: shorter variants (5–15 km), a leisurely pace, ideal for families with children.

- **By bike**: a longer loop (about 30 km) through all the towns. There are short, steep climbs (e.g., to the chapel of St. Antonín or to Kobylí vrch), so you need to have some fitness – or an electric bike 😉.

### 🅿️ Logistics and access

- You can leave your car in **Velké Pavlovice** – e.g., near the municipal stadium (close to the starting and finishing office).

- The start and finish are in the same place (sokolovna).

### 🛏 Accommodations

- **Velké Pavlovice, Bořetice, Němčičky, or Vrbice** – all towns have guesthouses and family wineries with accommodations.

- I recommend, for example, Velké Bílovice (Zemanek – tried and tested, great breakfast and wines).

### 🍷 Burčák – what to remember

- It has only 4–5% alcohol, but it’s easy and pleasant to drink – and that’s where the trap lies. Keep moderation if you’re cycling.

- Tastings are symbolically 50 ml, but at 20 points, it adds up.

- If you plan to return by car – it's better to limit yourself to a minimum or stay overnight.

### 🎶 What else?

- At the finish line, there will be a prize draw, concerts, and a party until late – I skipped this year, but it’s a great opportunity to stay longer.

- The whole event takes the form of a family festival – music, food, buzz, and plenty of opportunities to meet local winemakers.

Between the wineries, it was worth pausing for a moment and visiting the **Community Museum in Kobylí**. It's a stop from a different story – instead of a wine cellar, there’s an exhibition about the region, former customs, and life in Moravia.

The facade of the museum looks classic and elegant, and inside you will find some history and local exhibits. For me, it was a good moment to break away from the hustle and remember that Modré Hory is not just about wine, but also about the traditions and the people who created them.

🌄 **Hradištěk – morning before the start**

I began my burčák hike with a visit to Hradištěk – a small hill crowned with the stone Chapel of St. Urban. It looks as if it were lifted straight from a fairy tale, surrounded by vineyards and overlooking the entire panorama of the Blue Mountains.

In the early morning, the place was empty; only the wind whispered through the vines, and in the distance, Pavlovice and its rows of wine cellars shimmered faintly. There’s something about this spot – silence, space, and that view that instantly sets the rhythm of the day.

Before joining the crowds with glasses hanging from their necks, I took a quiet moment here and thought: this is exactly why I keep coming back to Moravia.

At the very end, before I returned to Velké Pavlovice, I stopped by the lookout tower Slunečná. It is a symbol of Pavlovice – an elegant structure that towers over the vineyards. From its terrace, I could see the entire route I had traveled that day: Bořetice, Kobylí, Vrbice… and of course, the rows of grapevines stretching out to the horizon.

At the finish line, there was still Vinařství Vinium – a large brand in the region, one of the most recognizable points in Velké Pavlovice. A symbolic closure of the loop, a place where everyone met again, exchanged impressions, and collected the last stamps in their booklets.

In Vrbice, collecting stamps turned into a little adventure. Everything revolves around the church standing on the hill and a row of cellars that look like they've been taken straight from the Shire. Small, stone facades, wooden doors, and behind them, cool corridors full of barrels and bottles.

First, the Shop at Hošek – a small, modest cellar, but full of local atmosphere. Right next to it, Vinařství Bočko – bustling, family-run, with burčák served with a wide smile.

And finally, a drive down to the lower part of the village and a must-visit spot – Buchtovín. I didn't try the burčák there, but I decided to buy a liter bottle to take home. So, I returned from Vrbice with the best possible souvenir – a taste waiting to be opened back home.

In Kobylí, I stopped for a longer stay at Vinařství Tomčala. That was my last glass of burčák for the day – a symbolic 50 ml that might seem innocent. But one must remember that burčák, despite its sweet taste, has 4–5% alcohol.

Additionally, I used a token from the meal package – after so many kilometers and climbs, the food tasted like a reward. And since I had a three-hour drive ahead of me, I consciously put a period on the "i." The route was long, I had tried enough burčák, and now it was time for recovery.

The road to Kobylí is one of those routes that is an attraction in itself. Along the way, you pass roadside crosses, pumpkin fields scattered among orchards, and even a mini-farm with goats and sheep that looked at me with more curiosity than I had for them. This is what I love about this event – one moment you are in a crowd with a glass, and the next moment you are pedaling alone through the idyllic landscape of Moravia.

At Vinařství Vajbar Kobylí, I didn't try burčák this time – instead, I went shopping. It's one of the larger and more modern wineries in the region, so it would have been a shame not to take at least one bottle home with me. Thanks to this, Moravia could later return with me to my home.

The descent from Kraví Hory led me straight to Bořetice – in my opinion, the most beautiful and charming village along the entire route. It has something about it: peace, colorful houses, vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, and that unique atmosphere of the "wine republic," as the locals like to call themselves.

The first stop – Rodinné vinařství Jedlička. Elegant and traditional, just a few dozen meters away is a completely different world – Rodinné vinařství Kravi Hora, focused on ecological cultivation and a modern approach to wine.

The climb to the chapel of St. Anthony turned out to be the longest ascent of the entire route. And here began my private lesson in humility. While I was painstakingly climbing on my bike, panting like an old steam locomotive and pretending it was all for health and fitness, the Czechs were cruising by me on their electric bikes like superheroes. Zero breathlessness, zero sweat, just broad smiles and... a glass of burčák in hand. :)

"It’s not a bike; it’s a motor with pedals," I mumbled under my breath, trying not to die along the way. But when I finally reached the top, the reward tasted a hundred times better. A glass of burčák at Maringotka mezi řádky, set among the vines, felt like a trophy after a marathon. And though I looked like I had just finished a stage of the Tour de France, at least I knew that every sip was truly well-deserved.

The descent from the chapel to Němčičky was pure pleasure – finally some wind in my hair after that grueling climb. The first stop at the bottom is Slovácký dvůr – it immediately became lively and colorful. Folklore in full bloom: live music, the smell of food, and burčák flowing continuously. The atmosphere felt more like a festival than a tasting – and that's what made it charming.

I returned to Hulaty once again – I had already described this winery in my previous entry about Modré Hory (👉 link here). This time I was enchanted by their cellars – a true labyrinth where one can get lost among the shelves full of bottles and brick vaults.

At the end in Němčičky, there was still Vinařství ZD Němčičky waiting – a large cooperative, more "industrial," but with solid classics of the region. Here, you could feel the scale and experience – the burčák was clear, well-made, a must-try on the route.

As if the climbs and burčák weren't enough, I decided to ride up Kraví Hora. Because who in their right mind, after a few glasses of young wine, decides to tackle extra elevation? Well, I do. The climb was short but intense – my legs burned, and I had one thought in my head: "who came up with the idea that cycling and burčák are a good combination?"

However, the descent back towards Bořetice made up for everything – wind in my hair, views of rows of vines, and the satisfaction of being able to check off another point on the route.

Bistro V Trávě, hidden among the vines, has a light, relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect place for a break, a few sips of burčák, and to catch my breath. Looking at people lounging on deck chairs, I thought that one could easily spend an entire day here. And it was right here that I found the best burčák of the whole trip – a perfect balance of sweetness, freshness, and light bubbles. Honestly, I could have ended my march right here and been satisfied. But the map reminded me – this was just the beginning of the journey.

Bistro V Trávě, tucked away among the vines and orchards, had a light, easy-going atmosphere. It was the perfect spot for a short break – a few sips of burčák, a deep breath, and a glance at people lounging lazily on deck chairs. I caught myself thinking that one could easily spend the whole day here. And it was right here that I found what, in my opinion, was the best burčák of the entire trip – perfectly balanced between sweetness, freshness, and a gentle sparkle. To be honest, I could have stayed longer, especially since the food looked tempting. But the map in my pocket reminded me – this was only the beginning of the journey.

🏁 **Finish**

I still had a visit to the starting point in **Velké Pavlovice**, where a **commemorative diploma** awaited me for completing the route. This time I didn't stay for the prize drawing or the musical part of the event – my legs demanded rest, and I still had a journey home ahead of me.

But I know one thing: this was not my last word. Next year, I will return here again – this time with family, to conquer Modré Hory together, drink burčák, and enjoy this exceptional September celebration.

🚩 Start in Velké Pavlovice

By morning, Velké Pavlovice was already buzzing. A cheerful crowd had gathered by the sports hall, ready for the Journey for Burčák. First, a bit of organization – starter pack collected, glass hanging from a string around my neck, and a map tucked into my pocket. I left the car at the parking lot next to the municipal stadium – practical and just steps from the start.

A few minutes in line, a quick exchange of smiles with the organizers – and we were off. Some on foot, others on bikes. I set out on my trusty silver ride, ready to take on the route... and the Czech e-bikers.

The first stops came quickly. V&M Zborovský Winery – a family estate with a touch of grandeur. Their burčák was exactly what it should be to start the day: fresh, lightly sparkling, poured in a charming cellar that immediately set the tone. This was just the beginning.

🍇 Starter Package – What’s Included?

During the Journey for Burčák, you can buy your starter package online in advance or directly on-site (it’s usually a few dozen crowns more expensive in person).

Inside, you’ll find:

• A glass with the Blue Mountains logo – hanging on a string, so your hands stay free while walking or cycling;

• A map with a QR code – with both walking and cycling routes, easy to follow;

• A 100 Kč token – redeemable in one of the participating wineries;

• A stamp card – collect them all to enter the prize draw;

• And most importantly – a glass of burčák at every stop along the route.

💰 Price: around 450–500 Kč (cheaper when purchased online).

🍷 Stops Along the Putování za Burčákem Trail (Blue Mountains)

• V&M Zborovský Winery (Velké Pavlovice) – a family-run estate with solid burčák and an atmospheric cellar.

• Bistro V Trávě (Velké Pavlovice) – relaxed bistro among orchards, perfect for a break.

• Maringotka mezi řádky (by St. Antonin Chapel, Velké Pavlovice) – a cult stop with a view of the vineyards.

• Slovácký dvůr – folklore, live music, and a homey vibe.

• Hulata Winery – small, family-run, full of heart and good burčák.

• ZD Němčičky Winery – a large cooperative offering classic Moravian flavors.

• Jedlička Family Winery (Bořetice) – elegant and traditional, always a safe bet.

• Krásná Hora Winery – organic farming and a modern approach to winemaking.

• Modrohorský Sklep (Bořetice) – the central point on the Bořetice wine map.

• Vajbar Winery (Kobylí) – renowned producer, sleek modern architecture, and excellent burčák.

• Tomčala Winery (Kobylí) – intimate, family-run, with typically Moravian flavors.

• Municipal Museum (Kobylí) – a cultural stop with an exhibition on the region.

• M&M Rusnák Family Winery – friendly atmosphere, often with snacks on the side.

• Víno Osička – local wines and a warm, welcoming spirit.

• Sklep u Hošků – a tiny cellar bursting with local charm.

• Bočko Winery – burčák just right, and a host with a great sense of humor.

• Buchtovín (Vrbice) – known for good reds; their burčák is a must-try.

• Helena & Šušky Winery (near the lookout tower) – unique spot with sweeping vineyard views.

• Baraque Winery – modern, stylish, and full of character.

• Vinium (Velké Pavlovice) – one of the region’s best-known brands and a classic final stop on the route.

September in South Moravia has its own rhythm. Vineyards heavy with grapes, evenings scented with freshly pressed juice, and the sound of cimbalom music drifting from wine cellars. It’s the season of burčák – young, fermenting wine that’s as charming as it is deceptive.

This year, I decided to experience the famous Putování za burčákem – the Burčák Wine Trail – in the Blue Mountains for myself.

The plan was simple: to follow the route on my beloved old silver Specialized. But reality soon proved that a classic bike and an e-bike belong to two entirely different worlds. 🙂

The day before, I stopped in Velké Bílovice, at the vineyard Zemanek – Penzion U vinaře. Great wines, delicious breakfast, and a wonderful owner who greeted us with a smile in the morning.

In the evening, I went for a walk around the town – Velké Bílovice is alive with wine. There are so many cellars that you could spend an entire weekend going from one to another. From some, live music could be heard, while in others, people sat at tables tasting wine and burčák. It was the perfect introduction to tomorrow's route.

At Mrs. Zemankova's, I bought a bottle of Pálava and a light, sparkling Frizzante, which would remind me of Moravia long after my return.

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