Moravian winemakers dominated four of the seven Welschriesling categories at the GROW du Monde international competition

Representing the Czech Republic, the categories champions placed by MiQueen Winery with its 2023 Welschriesling (Late Harvest) in the Mature Dry Wines category, No.44 Winery with its 2025 Welschriesling (Selected Grapes) in the Young Dry Wines category, Martin Šebesta Winery with his 2023 Ice Wine in the Sweet Wines category, and Volařík Winery with its 2023 Welschriesling (Selected Grapes) in the Semi-Dry Wines category.

The remaining three champions are wines from abroad. In the Sparkling Wines category, Serbia’s Winery Đurđić claimed first place with its 2021 vintage. The title of Best Orange Wine was awarded to Orange Wine Vučurević 2022 from Serbian producer Vinarija Vučurević, while the top honor in the Cuvée category went to Hungary’s Folly Arborétum for its wine Cédrus 2024.

“I am extremely pleased that we were able to bring this year’s GROW du Monde competition to the Czech Republic. This is not merely a competition; it encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at promoting the Welschriesling grape variety around the world. Following the outstanding success of Moravian wines in previous editions, my fellow tasters and wine experts from across the globe arrived eager to discover the places where these exceptional wines are produced and to meet the winemakers behind them. Personally, I am convinced that the Mikulov region offers a wealth of outstanding terroirs for Welschriesling, which reveal their full potential especially in dry wines. This year’s results, as well as the number of medals earned by Czech winemakers, once again confirm that belief. The enthusiastic reactions of experts from around the world provide further proof. After visiting vineyards in the Pálava Hills and the Dunajovské Hills region, they have spoken in superlatives about the beauty of the Mikulov area, its wines, and its winemakers,” explained Michal Šetka, Editor-in-Chief of WINE & Degustation magazine and President of the 2026 GROW du Monde competition.

In the Young Dry Wines category, No.44 Winery took top honors with its 2025 Welschriesling (Selected Grapes).

“We are absolutely thrilled that our Welschriesling from Bergrus succeeded in this prestigious competition. The Bergrus vineyard is a highly regarded wine-growing site located in the village of Perná in the Mikulov wine subregion, right in the heart of the protected Pálava landscape area,” said Eliška Becková of No.44 Winery.

She added: “This vineyard is renowned for producing premium quality wines with a distinctive mineral profile that reflects the area's characteristic limestone soils. Despite the relative youth of some of the plantings, the wines show outstanding potential.”

In the Mature Dry Wines category, MiQueen Winery excelled with its 2023 Welschriesling (Late Harvest).

“Our wine comes from the Za Cihelnou vineyard site in Mikulov, where the vines are cultivated under certified organic practices. It beautifully expresses the character of Mikulov Welschriesling, built on freshness, vibrant acidity, a distinct mineral backbone, and a pure varietal profile,” said Michal Rovenský, Managing Director of MiQueen Winery.

He added proudly, “We are delighted to have demonstrated that organically grown Welschriesling from Moravia can compete at the highest level and be the best in its category on the international stage.”

A total of 20 wines received Platinum Medals, with 14 of those awards going to Czech producers. The wineries honored with Platinum Medals include Volařík Winery, Víno Marcinčák Mikulov Organic Winery, Mikrosvín Mikulov Winery, Švásta and Kadlec Winery, Zámecké Winery Bzenec, Vajbar Winery, Kamil Prokeš Winery, MiQueen Winery, Tichý Winery, Vinofol Winery, Mlýnek Winery, and No.44 Winery.

The announcement of the results marked the highlight of the fifth edition of GROW du Monde. Friday morning was dedicated to wine professionals and a specialized Masterclass focused on international trends in viticulture. In the afternoon, the Upper Courtyard of Mikulov Chateau came alive with the Welschriesling Without Borders Festival. Wine enthusiasts and members of the public had the opportunity to taste more than 200 Welschriesling wines and compare Moravian wines directly with leading international wines.

About the Competition 

The international GROW du Monde competition is a prestigious event dedicated exclusively to the Welschriesling grape variety. For this fifth edition, winemakers submitted a total of 356 entries, including 344 single-varietal Welschriesling wines and 12 cuvées. In addition to host nation Czech Republic, which had the strongest representation with 185 wines entered, judges evaluated wines from seven other European countries: Hungary (75 entries), Croatia (32 entries), Serbia (28 entries), Slovakia (21 entries), Slovenia (8 entries), Italy (4 entries), and Austria (3 entries). The GROW du Monde initiative aims to strengthen the position of Welschriesling on the international market and to provide a professional platform where leading wine experts from around the world can meet in regions renowned for this grape variety.

This year’s competition is organized by the National Wine Center under the authority of delegated president Michal Šetka, with the support of the Czech Wine Fund. The event is held under the auspices of Jan Grolich, Governor of the South Moravian Region, and Jitka Sobotková, Mayor of Mikulov.

For more information, visit www.vinarskecentrum.cz.

The complete results can be found in the attached document.

Media contacts
Dagmar Fialová, Marketing Director, National Wine Center
+420 720 820 921
dagmar.fialova@vinarskecentrum.cz

Kateřina Martykánová, PR Manager
+420 602 576 870
press@vinarskecentrum.cz