Wine machines in a cellar. Yes, really.

This 2-hour stop in Prague turns wine tasting into a hands-on experience, starting with a chip card loaded with CZK credit to run the cellar’s wine machines. You can taste your way through local Moravian styles and comparisons from around the world, all in a compact room with a maximum of 10 people.

I especially like the self-serve format. You do not wait for a server to pour, and you can take extra glasses when you want to compare. I also like the mix of freedom and support, since a sommelier is there to help you choose what to try next, with staff names like Justin and Yan showing up in the experience.

One thing to consider: if you only want one or two drinks, this setup is designed for sampling lots of options. You might feel like you are paying for variety even if you are not planning to taste broadly.

Key points to know before you go

• CZK chip-card credit powers the wine machines, so tasting is fast and low-friction
• 64 wines daily lets you compare Czech and international styles by the glass
• Bordeaux Corner and other themed sections make comparisons easier, even for beginners
• Sommelier check-ins keep you from being totally on your own
• Cheese and salami boards pair with the wines but are not included in the wine credit
• Small group size (max 10) keeps the cellar from feeling crowded

Step inside the historical cellar near Karlín

The tasting happens at Křižíkova 180/28 in Prague 8, in the Karlín area. The location is not in the busiest core, but it is still practical, with public transport nearby and easy taxi access if you want to avoid a long walk at night.

What makes this place interesting is the mix of old and new. You are in a cellar setting, but the wine-pouring process feels modern and engineered, with machines that dispense consistent pours.

You will start at the meeting point and end back there when the session finishes. The whole thing is built around a smooth, self-guided flow once you get your card and your tasting list.

The chip card and wine machines, the real star of the show

When you arrive, staff give you a chip card loaded with CZK credit to operate the wine machines. The overview mentions CZK 900 credit, and the tasting plan is described as using around CZK 950 in practice, with enough to try 20+ wines for many people.

This system matters more than it sounds. It keeps the pace in your control, so you can slow down to compare, or speed up when you find a style you like. It also means you do not have that awkward moment where you are waiting to get poured, watching other groups move on without you.

You also receive a list of wines with basic descriptions, plus water. The glass is provided, and the space is set up so you can take more glasses to compare wines side by side without turning it into a chore.

If you are the kind of person who likes a plan, you can circle wines on your list and use it as your guide. If you prefer to wander, you can treat it like a tasting menu you build yourself.

A typical 2-hour flow, without the rushed feeling

The session is scheduled for about 2 hours. In practice, the experience is structured so you can go at a comfortable tempo, and some guests have stayed longer when the timing worked.

Here is the rhythm you can expect. First you get the card and a quick explanation of how the machines work. Then you walk down into the cellar tasting area and start sampling from the wine options on display.

The sommelier is available throughout, ready to help when you ask. You may also get suggestions based on what you like, which is useful if you want to steer your tasting toward styles you enjoy instead of random selections.

At some point, if you feel like it, you can add food. The cheese and salami boards are designed to match the wines, but they are not included in the wine credit.

How the tasting credit actually helps you taste 64 wines

The big headline is that there are 64 different wines available in a day. That is a lot for a single session, and it is exactly why the card-based system works so well.

Most people will not try every single wine. Instead, the goal is to sample enough options to learn your preferences and leave with a short list of wines you would actually order again in a restaurant.

Here is a smart way to use your time. Start with the wines that look familiar, then branch into comparisons. If you keep your first few samples simple, you build a baseline for what you like in that glass style before you chase the more interesting curveballs.

Also, take advantage of the fact that many wines are available side by side in the machines. You can do direct comparisons, such as trying a Czech or Moravian bottle next to a similar grape-based wine from elsewhere, if the lineup offers it.

And if you get to the end and realize you under-tasted because you got picky, staff may help you figure out your next steps. In at least one case, the team offered a way to come back later to use remaining credit, so do not assume you are forced to finish everything in one sitting if you still want more.

Comparing Moravia to the world, glass by glass

Prague is not just about beer. This experience is a focused look at Czech wine culture, especially the Moravian scene, with plenty of room for international comparisons.

What I like is that the tasting is not locked into one lane. You start with recommended Czech options to get a snapshot, but the structure is flexible enough to let you compare specific styles you care about.

The setup includes themed areas designed for comparison, like a Bordeaux Corner. The overview also highlights the idea that you can pair or compare familiar grapes across regions, even a Pinot Noir comparison between Czech and French examples if both show up in the lineup.

That is a helpful mindset for a trip like this. In a single evening, you get a practical sense of what “style” feels like to your palate, not just what the label promises.

It also makes the tasting more honest. If you taste something you assumed you would hate, and it surprises you, you learn fast. If you taste something you hoped you would love, and it does not hit, you learn that too.

When the sommelier helps and when it stays your choice

A lot of wine tastings feel like a lecture with samples. This one is different because it is built around your selection, with staff support layered in.

The sommelier explains the process and is available during the session. The tone from the experience is practical, friendly, and not pushy, which matters if you are traveling with someone who wants different levels of guidance.

In particular, names like Justin and Yan show up as helpful hosts. People mention that staff walk them through the machine process, suggest where to start, and check in later to see what they are enjoying.

If you want advice, you can get it. If you want quiet decision-making, you can do that too. The room design supports both modes, so you do not feel forced into a single way of tasting.

Food pairing: cheese and salami boards, not just an afterthought

You are given water, but food is optional. Snacks are not included, and the cheese and salami plates are not included in the CZK credit.

That said, the food is presented as a pairing component, not just a side dish. The boards are designed to match the wines, and they can turn the session into a more complete meal-like experience.

A common theme in the descriptions is that the cheese and salami portion feels generous, with guests calling it plentiful and a good match for soaking up the alcohol. Some people even mention being offered packaging for leftovers, which is a nice bonus if you do not finish everything.

If you are planning to drink more than a few samples, do yourself a favor and add at least one board. It makes the wine tasting more comfortable, and it keeps the evening from turning into a sugar and alcohol blur.

Practical tips so you taste smarter, not harder

I treat this kind of tasting like a palate workout, but with a goal. Your goal is not to drink everything. Your goal is to find what you actually want to order later.

First, pace yourself. Even with small pours, it is easy to overdo it if you switch wines every minute. If you feel your palate slowing down, that is your cue to consolidate and focus on the top few.

Second, use your tasting list like a game sheet. Mark what you like, and if the list includes descriptions, use those as hints for what you are tasting so you remember it later.

Third, prioritize comparisons. The machine setup is great for side-by-side testing, like similar grapes from different countries. Doing that early in the session helps you avoid the end-of-evening confusion when you are trying to remember what tasted what.

Fourth, if you want guidance, ask early. The sommelier can steer you toward a starting route, and that helps you avoid wasting credit on wines you would not pick for yourself.

Who this experience is perfect for

This tasting is a strong match for three types of travelers.

Wine-curious first-timers will like it because it is approachable. You are not required to know anything in advance, and the structure makes tasting feel manageable.

Wine lovers will like it because it is expansive. 64 wines is a lot of range, and you can build a personalized tasting path rather than sitting through the same poured lineup everyone else gets.

Couples and small groups will like it because the space stays calm. With a maximum of 10 travelers, you are not squeezed into a corner, and the experience stays social without becoming chaotic.

If you are a strict minimalist who wants just a quick drink, you might find the self-serve breadth a bit much. In that case, you may prefer a shorter tasting focused on fewer wines, unless you genuinely want to sample widely.

Value check: does the price make sense for your taste style?

At $46.86 per person for about 2 hours, the main value is not just the price tag. It is what you get for that price: wine tasting, water, a wine list, and staff support, with the central mechanic being a credit-loaded card for machine pours.

The best value happens when you actually taste a lot. The card credit described as enough for 20+ wines means you can sample across styles without constantly paying extra for each new pour.

Even if you end up tasting fewer than that, the format still helps because the selection is wide. You can focus on wines that match your preferences and skip the ones that do not, instead of committing to a full pour of something you guessed wrong on.

The potential downside is the same one: the experience is built for variety. If you only drink one or two wines, you might feel like you paid for more sampling than you used.

Should you book this Prague wine tasting?

Book it if you want a wine experience that is hands-on, flexible, and built around comparisons. The self-serve wine machines plus a large daily lineup of 64 wines make it one of the more efficient ways to learn what you like in a single night in Prague.

Skip it or rethink it if you want a traditional guided tasting of a small curated lineup, with no freedom to choose. Also consider skipping if you prefer not to manage your own tasting flow, because even with staff help, the system is designed for you to run the show.

If you are staying in Prague for a few days, I like booking this on a night when you have time to linger. Not because you must overrun the schedule, but because once you find a few styles you enjoy, it is easy to keep exploring without feeling rushed.

FAQ

How long is the wine tasting in the historical cellar?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What do I receive when I arrive?

You get a chip card with credit to operate the wine machines, plus a list of the wines, water, and a glass.

How many wines are available during the session?

The experience offers 64 different wines every day.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Are cheese and salami included?

Cheese and salami plates are not included in the CZK wine credit, though they are available as a matching add-on.

Is bottled water included?

Yes, bottled water is included.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes, the minimum age required is 18 years old.

What is the group size?

The experience has a maximum of 10 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, the amount paid is not refunded.