Heritage

The Zert family

The Zert family has lived and worked in Bříství near Kolín since 1671.
Our story began centuries earlier in Zerbst, Germany, where our ancestors were known for their skill in managing land and water. One branch moved to Bohemia, building roots that have held for eleven generations. Over time, the family moved from farming roots to noble recognition, but we've always felt ourselves to be a farming family — something reflected not only in our history and property, but also in the atmosphere of our family business, where that heritage can still be felt today.

The earliest records trace the family to 12th-century Zerbst, where Richard Zert founded a hospital later turned into a Benedictine convent.
In the 15th century, a branch moved to Bohemia, receiving a coat of arms from Emperor Rudolf II in 1577.
Nearly a hundred years later, Jan Žert purchased land in Bříství, starting a tradition that continues today — farming orchards of apples, pears, and strawberries across generations.

Through wars, rebuilding, and changing times, the family stayed connected to the land.
During World War II, Karel Žert joined the Czech resistance, while the Bříství farm helped Allied paratroopers.

In 1997, a mapping of the family line found almost 500 descendants living around the world.

Today, we farm around 20 hectares of land — 14 hectares of apple orchards with trees of different varieties and ages, 2 hectares of pear trees, and 5 hectares of fields for growing strawberries.
Our goal is to produce high-quality, healthy fruit, which means minimizing the use of chemicals and relying mainly on mechanical and biological protection against pests and diseases.

What began with engineers draining marshes in medieval Europe became a story about work, resilience, and belonging carried on in the same village with respect for those who came before.