The first national wine congress will take place in Valtice

The main purpose of organizing the first ever National Wine Congress is to set topics for the future of the industry, i.e. visions and, of course, the main directions and solutions. This is also related to the effort to define common wine interests and needs and their constructive connection with the state administration and legislation. Last but not least, it is worth mentioning and supporting the legacy of Prof. Ing. Vilém Kraus CSc., the father of viticulture in the Czech Republic. The Congress will launch a series of events to further commemorate this legacy over the next year and a half, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth.

23 January in the Chateau riding hall in Valtice

"Viticulture and winemaking, like many other industries dependent on uncontrollable factors, is part of a reality that is often complex and in some ways uncompromising. In the 21st century, however, we can no longer simply wait for nature's mercy. It is necessary to have a vision, the ability to define and implement systemic solutions, and to set up functional synchronous communication for all of this. That is why we have chosen the format of the wine congress, which once every four years brings together and connects winemakers from the smallest ones, through representatives of organized associations, to the established on the market wine brands and large companies and will involve selected legislators and key government officials in the discussion," said PhDr. "It is inevitable to stop once in a while, sort out our thoughts and find a willingness to cooperate on the main topics and objectives. This is the only way we can be competitive as a whole, continue to work on our uniqueness and maintain the prestige of the industry both within the country and abroad."

The event was under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Zdeněk Nekula

The Congress is organised by the Union of Winegrowers of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the National Wine Centre and the Faculty of Horticulture of Mendel University in Brno, with significant support from the Wine Fund of the Czech Republic and the South Moravian Region. The event is under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture Zdeněk Nekula. The general partner is Vinařský raj, a shop with everything a winemaker needs. The congress will also include a tasting of quality food products awarded with the Regional Food and Klasa labels, which are mediated by the State Agricultural Intervention Fund (SZIF).

Opening - opening speech:

• PhDr. Martin Chlad, President of the Union of Winegrowers of the Czech Republic - situation, trends and opportunities in the sector. Its importance and position in the future.

Expert contributions:

Breeding and overlapping of Professor Kraus

• Doc. Ing. Miloš Michlovský, Dr.Sc., winemaker and leading Czech expert in the field of viticulture, viticulture and grape breeding - the legacy of Prof. Ing. Vilém Kraus CSc., the importance and possibilities of breeding in current conditions.

Wine and viticulture responsibly

• Vilém Kraus, renowned viticulturist and grafted vine seedling breeder. Grandson and successor of prof. Ing. Vilém Kraus, Csc., world famous breeder of new grape varieties - greening, resistant varieties, system of efficient work in the vineyard, sustainable technology...
• Prof. Ing. Mojmír Baroň, Ph.D., Head of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology at the Faculty of Science at Mendel, a renowned viticulture expert - sustainable wine production, modern technologies, possibilities of applied research...
• Mgr. Klára Kollárová, National Sommelier of the Czech Republic - wine and its opportunities in the domestic and international context, social responsibility...

Guests:

• Prof. PhDr. Petr Fiala, Ph.D., LL.M. - Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
• Ing. Zdeněk Nekula - Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic
• Prof. MUDr. Vlastimil Válek, CSc., MBA, EBIR - Minister of Health of the Czech Republic
• Ing. Michal Kučera - Chairman of the Agricultural Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
• Mgr. Jan Grolich - Governor of the South Moravian Region
• Ing. Daniel Jurečka - Central Director of the Central Inspection and Testing Institute of Agriculture
• Ing. Martin Klanica - Central Director of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection
• Ing. Petr Dlouhý, MBA - Director General of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund

For more information, please visit www.svcr.cz or Facebook.