Vinařství VykoukalTerroir of the Battlefield
2 hectares on Stará hora (Old Mountain) above the Austerlitz battlefield. BIO since 2009, Autentista Moravia Magna. Mineral, salty wines with spicy bitterness—distinctly different from typical Moravian production.
HORA
From hobby to profession—Mendel University graduate farming the historic slopes of Austerlitz.
Vinařství Vykoukal was founded by Zdeněk Vykoukal in 1996, evolving from a passionate hobby into a professional winery. Zdeněk's journey began with just a few hundred vines and several hectoliters of wine, eventually growing into a 2-hectare estate producing distinctive natural wines [^147^].
After years of self-study and practical experience, Zdeněk formalized his expertise by graduating from Mendel University's Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice in 2012, completing the Winery Management and Marketing program. This scientific foundation complements his hands-on approach to viticulture [^147^].
The winery is located on Stará hora (Old Mountain) near Hostěrádky-Rešov and Újezd u Brna, directly on the historic Slavkov battlefield (Austerlitz)—the site of Napoleon's famous 1805 victory. The vineyards shape the landscape on steep slopes with Tertiary limestone bedrock covered by thin loess layers exceptionally rich in calcium and magnesium [^133^][^128^].
Since 2009, the winery has been a member of Autentista Moravia Magna (formerly Autentisté), adhering to the strict charter of natural winemaking. The entire operation is farmed in BIO/organic regime, with minimal sulfur, no selected yeasts, and no filtration [^128^][^147^].
"Capture and bottle the original experience of wine with unique character from Austerlitz terroir."
Vinařství Vykoukal practices natural and authentic winemaking in the best sense. Since joining Autentista Moravia Magna in 2009, Zdeněk has followed strict principles: no selected yeasts, no additives, minimal sulfur only when necessary, and wines that are never clarified (except some whites filtered only with kieselguhr or perlite) [^128^][^147^].
The wines are aged in acacia and oak barrels, developing their distinctive character. Zdeněk describes his wines as "not for everyone"—they have their admirers and believers. The goal is not mass appeal but authentic expression of terroir [^128^].
This philosophy extends to the vineyard: great attention to the vine throughout the year, respecting natural cycles, and maintaining the unique ecosystem of Stará hora. The result is wine that truly reflects its place of origin—the historic battlefield where three emperors once clashed [^133^][^147^].
Intervention
Maximum
Terroir
Old Mountain terroir—limestone, loess, and the distinct mineral saltiness of Austerlitz.
Bedrock
Tertiary limestone bedrock forms the foundation of Stará hora. This ancient geology, combined with the specific orientation and elevation, creates the distinctive mineral backbone of Vykoukal's wines—full, well-structured, broader and more layered than typical Moravian wines [^133^][^147^].
Character
The wines from Stará hora are famous for their strong minerality and spicy bitterness in the finish. With longer aging, this evolves into a distinctive saltiness (slanost). This character is significantly different from other Moravian production—more mineral, more savory, more terroir-driven [^128^][^147^].
Resch, St. Laurent, Riesling—mineral wines from the slopes of Austerlitz.
Resch
The flagship orange wine—95% Müller Thurgau and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, macerated for 21 days and aged 10 months in acacia barrels. Bright golden hue, expressive bouquet of dried mango, papaya, quince, and delicate florals. Gentle and supple texture with vibrant acidity. Internationally acclaimed, available through Oranj UK and More Natural Wine [^139^][^149^].
Svatovavřinecké (St. Laurent)
The 2017 St. Laurent from Terroir Austerlitz—12% alcohol, organic, very mineral, good salinity, low intervention. Rare crossed variety between Pinot Noir and Savagnin, quite bitter, dark fruit, dry but soft warm tannins. Praised by The Buyer as "quite appealing" and representative of the unique Austerlitz terroir [^132^][^147^].
Ryzlink rýnský (Riesling)
Riesling from Stará hora—very juicy, unfiltered, with 21°NM (must weight). Fermented spontaneously, aged in wood, expressing the limestone and loess terroir with characteristic mineral backbone and aging potential. The flagship white that shows why Riesling thrives on these historic slopes [^147^].
Cabernet Moravia
The Cabernet crossing that thrives on Stará hora's south-facing slopes. Full-bodied, structured, with the spicy bitterness and mineral saltiness characteristic of the terroir. Aged in wood, unfiltered, expressing the unique combination of Moravian climate and Austerlitz soil [^128^][^133^].
Veltlínské zelené (Grüner Veltliner)
The variety that thrives best on Stará hora—the steep slopes and mineral-rich loess give the Grüner Veltliner a distinctive character unlike typical Moravian expressions. Spicy, mineral, with the characteristic white pepper notes transformed by the salty finish of the terroir [^128^].
Neuburské (Neuburger)
The old Moravian variety that requires extensive care but rewards with extraordinary character. On Stará hora's limestone and loess, it produces wines of remarkable depth and mineral complexity. A testament to Zdeněk's commitment to preserving Moravian viticultural heritage [^128^][^147^].
Chardonnay
Chardonnay from Austerlitz—the international variety transformed by Moravian terroir. Aged in oak, expressing the full, well-structured, broader and more layered character that defines Stará hora wines. Not superficially aromatic but deeply complex and suitable for both everyday drinking and top gastronomy [^128^].
Ryzlink vlašský (Welschriesling)
Welschriesling from the Austerlitz terroir—available through Vivino and international distributors. The mineral-rich soils give this workhorse variety unexpected depth and character, with the distinctive salty finish that marks all Vykoukal wines [^131^][^147^].
Autentista Moravia Magna
Charter Member
✓ Strict natural rules
Natural Wine
🌿 Minimal sulfur
"Our wines are produced with great respect for the vine, our vineyards, the landscape, indigenous yeasts, and the people who live here or drink our wine."
The Sun of Austerlitz
Zdeněk Vykoukal represents the voice of Central European terroir—a Mendel University-educated winemaker farming 2 hectares on the historic Austerlitz battlefield, producing wines that are "natural and authentic in the best sense." His participation in the Autentista Moravia Magna charter since 2009 and his wines' presence in international markets (UK, EU, US) through distributors like More Natural Wine and Oranj demonstrate that Moravian natural wine has global relevance [^129^][^132^][^136^].
The "Resch" orange wine has become his international calling card—Müller Thurgau transformed through 21 days of skin contact and acacia aging into something that transcends its humble origins. But it's the St. Laurent, the Riesling, and the Cabernet Moravia from Stará hora that truly express the unique terroir: mineral, salty, with spicy bitterness—wines that carry the memory of the 1805 battle in their very structure. As Zdeněk says: these are wines "not for everyone," but for those who understand that terroir is everything [^147^].
- Founded 1996
- Zdeněk Vykoukal
- Mendel University graduate
- 2 hectares
- 1.3 hectares planted
- Stará hora (Old Mountain)
- Slavkov battlefield
- Austerlitz terroir
- Hostěrádky-Rešov
- Újezd u Brna
- Tertiary limestone
- Loess soil
- Calcium & magnesium rich
- BIO/Organic since 2009
- Autentista Moravia Magna
- Autentisté charter
- Minimal sulfur
- No selected yeasts
- No filtration
- Acacia & oak barrels
- Mineral character
- Spicy bitterness
- Salty finish
- Resch (orange wine)
- St. Laurent 2017
- Riesling
- Grüner Veltliner
- Cabernet Moravia
- Neuburger
- Chardonnay
- Welschriesling
- International distribution
- More Natural Wine
- Oranj UK
- BRNĚNSKO originální produkt®