Region: Moravia, Czech Republic
Grapes: Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pálava
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Apricot nectar, clementine zest, juicy litchi, fresh yellow apple, with an aromatic floral lift, moderate tea-like skin tannins, and a crisp, saline finish
Pairing: Stuffed green olives with feta, salmon bulgogi, cider-brined pork loin with roasted apples, spicy noodle dishes, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Milan Nestarec is one of the most wildly influential, authoritative rockstars of the central European natural wine movement, based in Velké Bílovice within the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. Stepping into his family’s vineyards at a young age, Milan quickly rejected the heavily manipulated, industrial formulas of the post-communist era to establish a highly expressive, deeply personal worldview channeled through unadulterated grape juice. Managing roughly 8 hectares of certified organic vines rooted in complex loess, clay, and sand soils, Milan treats his cellar with a completely hands-off, transparent ethos. He avoids all fining, filtration, temperature control, and added sulfur, viewing wine as a living medium meant to broadcast pure terroir energy, millennial wit, and absolute drinkability rather than rigid, academic technicality.
The Wine
The 2024 "OKR" (the Czech word for ochre) is a brilliantly vibrant, highly scannable skin-contact liter bottle engineered to serve as the ultimate everyday, accessible doorway into amber wines. Acting as the skin-fermented brother to his beloved "Běl" and "Nach" liters, the wine features an organic field-blend medley of Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pálava. While Milan has famously dialed back heavy extraction in his premium cuvées, he created OKR to fulfill the constant global demand for an honest, high-vibe orange wine that doesn't overwhelm the palate with aggressive structure. The hand-harvested grapes are gently stomped and undergo a brief, 1-week spontaneous native fermentation on their skins inside stainless steel tanks to extract a glowing golden-amber hue and delicate phenolics. Bottled strictly zero-zero in a generous 1-liter format with a crown cap, the 2024 vintage completely bypasses standard astringent orange tropes; it masterfully pairs an exotic, floral bouquet of tropical fruits and citrus zest with a light-footed alpine acidity and an intensely energetic, gulpable freshness.
Region: Moravia, Czech Republic
Grapes: Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pálava
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Apricot nectar, clementine zest, juicy litchi, fresh yellow apple, with an aromatic floral lift, moderate tea-like skin tannins, and a crisp, saline finish
Pairing: Stuffed green olives with feta, salmon bulgogi, cider-brined pork loin with roasted apples, spicy noodle dishes, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Milan Nestarec is one of the most wildly influential, authoritative rockstars of the central European natural wine movement, based in Velké Bílovice within the Moravia region of the Czech Republic. Stepping into his family’s vineyards at a young age, Milan quickly rejected the heavily manipulated, industrial formulas of the post-communist era to establish a highly expressive, deeply personal worldview channeled through unadulterated grape juice. Managing roughly 8 hectares of certified organic vines rooted in complex loess, clay, and sand soils, Milan treats his cellar with a completely hands-off, transparent ethos. He avoids all fining, filtration, temperature control, and added sulfur, viewing wine as a living medium meant to broadcast pure terroir energy, millennial wit, and absolute drinkability rather than rigid, academic technicality.
The Wine
The 2024 "OKR" (the Czech word for ochre) is a brilliantly vibrant, highly scannable skin-contact liter bottle engineered to serve as the ultimate everyday, accessible doorway into amber wines. Acting as the skin-fermented brother to his beloved "Běl" and "Nach" liters, the wine features an organic field-blend medley of Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pálava. While Milan has famously dialed back heavy extraction in his premium cuvées, he created OKR to fulfill the constant global demand for an honest, high-vibe orange wine that doesn't overwhelm the palate with aggressive structure. The hand-harvested grapes are gently stomped and undergo a brief, 1-week spontaneous native fermentation on their skins inside stainless steel tanks to extract a glowing golden-amber hue and delicate phenolics. Bottled strictly zero-zero in a generous 1-liter format with a crown cap, the 2024 vintage completely bypasses standard astringent orange tropes; it masterfully pairs an exotic, floral bouquet of tropical fruits and citrus zest with a light-footed alpine acidity and an intensely energetic, gulpable freshness.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.