St Martin’s Day, 11 November, is when the Czech Republic opens the first wine of the new vintage, sold under the Svatomartinské label, and restaurants put roast goose on the menu. In 2026 the day falls on a Wednesday. Two Prague events were confirmed when we checked: a St Martin’s toast at the Prague Botanical Garden’s St Clare wine shop on 11 November 2026, and the St Martin’s Day festivities and goose roast on the Náplavka riverside (Rašínovo embankment) on Saturday 14 November 2026.
What Svatomartinské wine is
According to the Czech Wine Fund, which owns the brand, Svatomartinské wines are young wines of the current vintage: fresh, fruity and aromatic. Only certain grape varieties qualify:
- White: Müller Thurgau, Veltlínské červené rané, Muškát moravský.
- Red: Modrý Portugal, Svatovavřinecké.
- Rosé and claret: Modrý Portugal, Zweigeltrebe, Svatovavřinecké.
Sales start on 11 November. The Wine Fund’s rules allow an earlier start on the preceding Friday only when the 11th falls between Saturday and Tuesday; with a Wednesday in 2026, the wines go on sale on the day itself. The main season runs from November to Christmas.
Where to go in Prague
- 11 November 2026, Prague Botanical Garden (Troja): the garden’s events programme lists a St Martin’s toast at the St Clare wine shop, beside its historic vineyard. The start time was not shown in the listing we checked.
- 14 November 2026, Náplavka, Rašínovo embankment: Prague City Tourism lists a riverside festival of young wines from Moravia and Bohemia with roast goose specialities and live music. A tasting glass costs CZK 150 and wineries price their own samples. Hours were not shown in the listing.
- Restaurants: many Prague restaurants serve a St Martin’s goose menu with red cabbage and dumplings around the date. These menus sell out, so book ahead.
Other neighbourhood celebrations are held in some years, but we could not confirm 2026 dates for them.
Photographing it
- Riverside in daylight: on Náplavka, shoot the wine stalls with the Vltava and Prague Castle as a backdrop. A 35 mm lens at f/2.8–f/4 keeps both the glass and the setting readable.
- Backlight the wine: young rosé and white glow when the light comes from behind. Hold the glass against the low November sun or a bright window and expose for the liquid, about +0.3 to +0.7 EV.
- Restaurant tables: sit near a window, switch off flash and use ISO 800–3200 at f/2–f/2.8 and 1/60 s. A white napkin makes a handy reflector to lift shadows on a dark roast goose.
- Dusk: it is dark early in mid-November. As the stall lights come on, raise ISO to 3200 and keep 1/100 s to freeze pouring and toasting.
- People: pouring, clinking glasses and winemakers at their stands tell the story better than bottles alone. Ask before close portraits.
- Crowds: the first hour of an outdoor festival is the quietest; by mid-afternoon the embankment is busy.
Sources
- Prague Botanical Garden – programme of events
- Prague City Tourism – St Martin’s Day festivities on Náplavka
- Wine Fund of the Czech Republic – Svatomartinské wine
Details were checked on 1 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you go.
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