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HISTORY
Vine cultivation in Bohemia began with the arrival of
Christianity in the 10th century, when Princess Ludmila planted the
first vineyard in Mělník. In the Middle Ages vine growing and wine
making were considered very important activities by the local
burghers.
One of the most remarkable influences on the development of the
wine trade in the Mělník region was Holy Roman Emperor and King of
Bohemia Charles IV, who drew up wine laws defining the rights and
obligations of vine growers and winemakers as well as bringing a
sense of law and order to the cultivation of vines, which he
actively supported. It is a well known fact that he brought the
highly regarded vines of the Pinot Noir variety to Mělník from
Burgundy.
The constant wars in the Czech lands meant hard times, which was
also reflected on vine cultivation and the trade in wine. A
significant decline was experienced during the Thirty Years' War in
the 17th century, while industrialisation in the 19th century
brought about socio-economic changes leading to a greatly decreased
significance for this sector of trade. The Mělník branch of the
Lobkowicz family began winemaking in 1753.
The turn of the last century marks an important milestone for the
Château Mělník winery. During this time a huge French-style
modernisation process took place, including the terracing of the
Ludmila vineyard beneath the castle and the production of the
first-ever méthode champenoise sparkling wine in the country called
Château Mělník was introduced in 1896 by Ferdinand de Lobkowicz.
Apart from the loss of ownership of the estates, the coming of
the socialist regime disrupted the continuity in local winemaking,
with the worst of the technological stagnation occurring during the
seventies. Following the restitution of Château Mělník and its
winery to its rightful owners in 1992, rapid modernisation of the
winery was begun along with a vineyard replanting programme aimed at
restoring the good name to the wines of Mělník that they undoubtedly
deserve.
13.08.2005
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