The Lesser Poland (Malopolska) Wine Trail

Do you know that Lesser Poland is one of the regions, where the wine industry growing thefastest? Although Polish wineries are mainly associated with the regions of Zielona Gora, we can observe that Lesser Poland has the greatest number of registered vineyards. In the neighbourhood of Tarnow, to be more precisely in the town Tuchow, every year an event called Tuchovinifest is organized there. During this event, participants have the opportunity to talk with winemakers, taste local wines and get necessary knowledge about wine production. If you missed the Tuchovinifest we highly recommend you to attend another event called Tarnowskie Dionizje. This event takes place every December. Moreover, there you can meet other pasionats of wine lovers and also taste wine, which was produced this year.

HISTORY:

The Lesser Poland Wine Trail was established in 2013 to encourage tourists to discover the beauty of vineyards located in the lesser Poland, enable a meeting with their owners and show how wine production works. The trail also aims to encourage potential winemakers to create new vineyards. Originally The Lesser Poland Wine Trail comprised 15 vineyards. Currently, in the 9th year of its activity, the Trail has 50 vineyards. The basic species grown in the vineyards are varieties of hibernal, seyval blanc i solaris, which are used in white wine production and cabernet cortis, regent i rondo, which are used in red wine production.

VINEYARDS:

1. Vineyard Grodek ( belongs to the trail since 2019)

This beautiful place is located in Zbyszyce near Roznowskie Lake. Moreover, Vineyard Grodek belongs to one of the most ambitious projects, which have been realised in this region. The beginnings of the vineyard are dated to 2014, when the owner of the vineyard – Mariusz Lachowicz, decided to create a vineyard for his recreational purposes. However, grapevines which were planted there have caught on well and in 2016, from the young bushes, more grapes were harvested and were turned into wine. Among the grapevines, which are planted here we can find: hibernal, muscaris, serena, siberia and solaris for white wine. For red wine planted are species like cabernet cantor, cabernet cortis, regent and rondo. Moreover, rare varieties such as Vitis vinifera: auxerrois, riesling and pinot noir are also grown there. Nowadays, despite the vine production, near the vineyard the separate building is located. Therea large room capable of accommodating up to 40 people is placed, so you are able to taste vines, take part in conferences and meet with owners.

2. St. John’s Vineyard ( belongs to trail since 2019)

This vineyard is located nearby Ojcow National Park. The first works on the vineyard began in 2013, and the first seedling was planted a year later. Currently, the vineyard is growing 2600 seedlings. Tribes that you can find there are solaris and swenson red, used in white wine production and leon millot, marechal foch and regent for red wines. An additional advantage of this place are tourist attractions, which are located nearby the vineyard. One of them is John’s the Baptist church in Korzkwia. Firstly it was used as a defence place. Another attraction is the Castle in Korzkwia. Moreover, the vineyard is often visited by wild animals like roe deers, hares or lizards. First wines were created in 2016 and in 2017 some of them officially have been sold. If you are interested in visiting the vineyard, it is possible in small groups. You will have an opportunity to taste local wines and be toured around.

3. Zadora Vineyard ( belongs to trail since 2013)

Vineyard situated near Tarnow in a location called Szczepanowice. Its name is connected with a famous in the XIX century family, whose crest was named Zadora. Initially, the owners of the vineyard planted only a few shrubs, however by the time they decided to create a real, big and preoperative vineyard. The winery quickly gained popularity and recognition of faithful amateurs. In 2011 the vineyard officially started to produce wines on a larger scale. Many grape varieties are grown here, like: johanniter, solaris, orion, phoenix, merzling and ortega intended for white wines and also regent, rondo, acolon and pinot noir intended for red wine production. What is more, recently owners of the vineyard enlarged the building, where wines are produced and created a wine tasting room. Another advantage of this place is that it is a part of ,, Polish Heat Pole ” – touristic region near Tarnow, where summers are really warm.

4. Jagiellonian University Vineyard – Nad Dworskim Potokiem ( belongs to trail since 2013)

This amazing vineyard belongs to Jagiellonian University. Despite the fact that it is a vineyard owned by a university, more than once its wines have achieved great success in national and domestic competitions. Moreover, their wines were one of the earliest which were officially sold. The idea of the vineyard was born in 2004, but the first bushes were planted a year later. A modern building with its own laboratory was built next to the vineyard. About 20 different grape varieties are grown in the vineyard. There are varieties like seyval, bianca and hibernal for white wines. Some of hibernal grapes are dried and used to produce wine strong, semi-sweet wines in the type of Italian passito and vin santo . However, most of the wines made here are intended for the university. You can buy them only on special days and only here, at Jagiellonian’s University Vineyard.

5. Vineyard Hibridum ( belongs to trail since 2013)

The founder of the winery – Marcin Pierozynski- runs numerous, well known restaurants. Vineyard Hibridium was created in 2009, because its owner decided to run it to produce wine of their own wares. For white wines popular grape varieties are hibernal, solaris and bianca, for red wines are regent and rondo. Wines from the winery in Witanowice were well received by critics and the public and have already won several medals at wine competitions. Red wines, which age in special French barrels for almost half a year, are especially liked. What is best about that vineyard, you can buy their products in restaurants.

6. Vineyard Silver Mountain (Srebrna Gora) ( belongs to trail since 2013)

This vineyard is the biggest one located in Lesser Poland. We do not know much about the beginnings of the vineyard, however to its traditions, it definitely relates to modern Vineyard Silver Mountain. It was created thanks to the determination of two Krakow entrepreneurs, Mirosław Jaxa Kwiatkowski – owner of the popular Krakow restaurant Da Pietro – and Mikołaj Tyc. Despite the enthusiastic approach to the idea of the vineyard by the founders and the Camaldolese authorities, formal matters took a long time. Several months were required for the formalities to be completed, and the next two years were spent on preparatory works. The first seedlings were planted in 2010 and two years later the first local wine was produced. The varieties grown here are johanniter, solaris, seyval blanc, hibernal for white wines and regent, rondo, cabernet cortis for red wines. Moreover, noble varieties are cultivated here, like: pinot noir, zweigelt and acolon for red wines and chardonnay, pinot gris, riesling, traminer, auxerrois, siegerrebe for white wines.

A local curiosity is a very rare red-fruited Riesling maple, which, apart from Srebrna Gora, is grown only in a few German vineyards. Today, wine production takes place in the renovated monastic defense premises. Moreover, recently a tasting pavilion with a capacity of 40 people was built. In the near future, there will be a shop with local wines and a wine bar, where you will be able to taste a variety of wines.

7. Wieliczka Vineyard (belongs to trail since 2016)

The vineyard was founded in 2013 and currently has an ecological certificate. The vineyard is undoubtedly one of the best thought-out projects, because apart from the possibility of wine tasting, it also offers a very extensive and unusual enotourism program with the possibility of personal involvement in the work of vineyard cultivation and wine production. The people who took up this project are: Agnieszka Wyrobek Rousseau – the most famous polish enolohist and Piotra Jaskółę – Silesian winemaker. The vineyard is located on a high slope of the hill called Laskowiec, towering over the former manor buildings in Pawlikowice (the present parish church and the house of the Michalites). In this place, apart from the possibility of tasting wine, you can also admire breathtaking views reaching as far as the Tatra Mountains and Babia Gora. Grape varieties are grown here, such as: chardonnay, rieslinga, merlota, caberneta, pinot noir, muszkat and grüner veltliner.

The method of organic grape cultivation includes the exclusion of all types of chemicals or artificial fertilizers. Biodynamic viticulture in our cool and relatively humid climate is quite a challenge, however, the vines have adapted very well to it so far. The first wine, however, was not produced until 2015 from a small grape plan. At that time, dry chardonnay, sweet riesling and two successful red wines from classic Bordeaux varieties: merlot and cabernet were produced, which became a sensation among Polish wine enthusiasts. In the following years, the range of wines gradually expanded. What’s more, the vineyard also offers great ciders made of apples from old orchards and cosmetics made on the basis of grape marc and other plants grown here.

8. Jura Vineyard ( belongs to trail since 2018)

This vineyard is certainly one of the most interesting projects. It is located in Rybna near Alwernia. The owners of this place spent a lot of time abroad and realized their wine-making dream right after their return to their homeland. For a long time, they searched for a suitable piece of land. They found the perfect place by accident, while they were visiting their family. They quickly found out that the land was for sale and the seller was a friend of Mr. Marcin (owner of the vineyard). The process of planting the vineyard itself was lengthy. In 2014, the owners carefully planned their activities and goals. In late spring 2015, the first bushes were planted. However, the first officially registered collection took place only in autumn 2017. Despite the harsh weather conditions that prevailed this year, the wines turned out to be excellent and were positively received by the public. 2018 turned out to be even better. The owners harvested a large harvest of grapes and officially opened the vineyards to visitors.
The grape varieties that are grown here are :

for white wines: chardonnay, hibernal, johanniter, pinot gris, riesling, seyval blanc and solaris and for red wines : cabernet cortis and pinot noir. It is also worth noting that you can taste and buy local wines there and this vineyard has been certified as an organic vineyard.