…that in Poland we have over 400 vineyards

covering the area of 400 ha and most of them have been established within the last couple of years.

Since 2009 wine produced in Polish vineyards can be purchased in stores.

Below is a short note on the most important facts related to winemaking in Poland.

Podkarpacki Region

This is the most import ant winemaking region in Poland. We can clearly distinguish three winemaking centers- around Jasło and Dębica, Rzeszów and around Jarosław and Przemyśl.

The cooperation of the Polish Institute for Grapevine and Wine, the Voivodship Marshall’s Office and Austrian consul has brought about the creation of a training program in Podkarpacie, entitled „Vineyards in Podkarpacie”, which is already followed in other regions.  This is the home of the pioneer of Polish winemaking, owner of the Golesz Vineyard – Roman Myśliwiec.

The Golesz vineyard spreads over 1.5 ha of land and was founded in 1982. The first wine bush was brought from Jarosław, the Ontario variety, but Biance and Perła Zali can also be found. The basic operation is testing new grape varieties with regard to their usability for Polish weather conditions. Results of experimental operations were numerously presented on Polish Television educational programs, gardening press and book publications.

Małopolski Region

The Polish Institute for Grapevine and Wine is seated in Cracow. The Institute supports and aids wine lovers to establish their own vineyards, organizes sommelier trainings.

One of the most interesting winemaking initiatives takes place in Łazy, near Bochnia – an experimental vineyard of the Jagiellonian University, established in 2005, „Winnica nad Dworskim Potokiem” covering the area of 3.3 ha. This is the place where experimental ice wine will be produced. This requires specific minus temperatures of ca. -8 degrees C, which will freeze grapes on bushes. Ice wine is an exclusive drink, as from 100 kilos of grapes it is possible to obtain only 10-15 liters of must! Wojciech Bosak, a renowned enologist observes Polish winemaking from the Cracow.

Zielonogórski Region

This is one the two places (the other is Warka) where people attempted to produce grape wine after the II World War, using the German winemaking tradition. The Zielonogórskie Wine Association has been operating here since 2006. In Zielona Góra you can visit the Orly Wine Museum.

Dolnośląski Region

This is the region with oldest winemaking traditions in Poland, with the best climate for grape growing and the largest vineyards in Poland.

The record is held by the Miękinia Lecha Jaworka Vineyard, covering 16,8 ha. It was established in 2000 as the owner’s hobby, however soon its area increased as the gentle climate allows to grow Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Rulander and Sylvaner.

The Dolnośląski Region has the highest situated Vineyard in Poland, located in the Sudety Mountain, at 360 m above sea level – it is called Stary Wielisław Vineyard.

Kazimierz Dolny

Vintners Association of Vistula River Gorge in Little Poland was founded here in 2008. It took over patronage  over renovating the Vineyard of Janowiec Castle. The Association groups 20 owners of local vineyards, eg. Paweł Wieczorek, owner of the Wieczorków Vineyard.The Association prepares a winemaking tourist along both sides of the Vistula River.

Vineyards are also located in Pomorze, Kujawy, Mazury, Podlasie and Mazowsze. And if you do not believe that in Northern Poland it is possible to produce good quality wine try wines from the Kolonia Rusek Vineyard near Pasym…