Aleš Kovář: Winemaker from Tasovice nad Dyjí / Znojmo

Aleš Kovář is a small winemaker farming in the village of Tasovice nad Dyjí in the Znojmo Wine Sub-region(Znojemská vinařská podoblast) of the Czech Republic.

His winemaking philosophy is strongly focused on highlighting the unique terroir of the specific location and respecting nature.

• Location and Vineyards: He cultivates old vineyards, approximately 50 years of age. These vineyards are situated on gentle slopes with a granite subsoil descending towards the Dyje river.

• Viticultural Approach: In the vineyard, he emphasizes respect for nature, which includes excluding systemic sprays and chemical fertilizers (organic farming).

• Wine Production: In the cellar, he adheres to the principle of "add nothing to the wine and take nothing from the wine." The wines are made without the addition of artificial additives, are neither fined nor filtered, and often retain the lees. While some wines previously had a minimal amount of gaseous sulfur added, he has used no added sulfur since the 2021 vintage.

• Aging: The wine ages for a minimum of one year in wooden barrels and on the lees, and then matures further in the bottle.

• Varieties: He currently focuses mainly on white varieties, such as Riesling (Ryzlink rýnský), Grüner Veltliner(Veltlínské zelené), Müller Thurgau, and Welschriesling (Ryzlink vlašský).

His goal is to let the combination of the Znojmo terroir, granite subsoil, and the specifics of the current vintage stand out in his wines. He is considered one of the younger generation of winemakers in the Znojmo portfolio.