frankovka

Natural, ecological and biodynamic - that´s how Filip Nagy, the mind behind this project, describes his winery next to Bratislava, just behind the Devín castle.

He is part of the young generation of winemakers with solid education in oenology and despite that following their own path. Filip knows vine and their needs. The right terroir is the first choice which a proper winemaker has to make. He has chosen south Moravia for his studies, and for his first winemaking project. That´s how winery “7 rows” came to being. With a friend of his they starting experimenting with unusual creations. Being marketed as “7 řádků” in Czechia and “7 riadkov” in Slovakia this winery has left a trace amongst natural winelovers.

The “Golden horn” is pushing the experiences further and its aim is to apply the principles of biodynamics. Filip takes care of his vines with purely biological procedures. His fertilizers are being created using cows´ horns. He fills them with manure, buries them for several months and digs them out following the lunar calendar. This galvanized compound is then mixed with rain water and being sprayed over the vines. They obviously seem to like, because the grapes which they grow, provide the best material for his unique wines.

Two brothers who inherited winemaking skills through generations. Their grandfather moved from the small settlement of Kisnána which is part of the Mátra wine region in Hungary to Strekov in Slovakia during exchange of populations in 1948. Their parents, both winemakers, sent the brothers to study winemaking and gain experiences in the new world. They gathered knowledge in California and New Zealand and now harvest its fruits to produce fresh wines with young spirit in leading south Slovakian region of Strekov.

Bertas started to build up their brand in 2007 from humble 1 000 bottles. Encouraged by the success they extended their production in 2013 and by today they produce over 35 000 bottles a year. By that time they realised the potential of local varieties as Welsch riesling, Moravian muscat or Saint Laurent, but also Sauvignon and Alibernet are in their portfolio. As every row of the wineyard is specific, they often create selections of the best plots of their wineyards, so call “Winemakers choice”.

In Slovakia they are also frontrunners of the cork-free zone. Inspired by George Fistonich, New Zealand´s leading winemaker, they introduced screw caps instead of wine corks. That is a wise choice because in that way their wines keep their most characteristic feature - freshness and fruitiness.

credits: https://www.vinarstvoberta.sk/en/

Back to the mythical Somló hills, where one family found a deep bond with mother earth. The Tomcsányi´s cultivate their 2,5 hectares in a purely organic way. They search for the perfect harmony of the whole ecosystem, where bugs, birds and fruit trees complement each other with their wineyards.

This is a boutique winery which can allow itself a close, even an intimate connection with soil, grapes and wine. The volcanic hill with its basaltic and sedimentary soil, local white varieties grown under generous Hungarian sun, and the work of man brings to being the delicious nectar. In this micro world, there is no need for artificial intervention. Nature with help of human makes the whole miracle.

Every vintage is unique as the Tomcsanyi´s are not afraid to experiment. They bottle their wines from Furmint, Harslevelu or Juhfark after fermenting the musts in barrels and amphorae which are matured on their own lees. Often without filtration, these wines invite you to get to know the Somló terroir intimately.

credits: https://tomcsanyibirtok.hu/en

The name Somló Abbey (Apátság) Winery is coming from the fact that the winery cultivates 3 certified organic hectares that used to belong to the nearby abbey.

The grape varieties, most of them native to the Carpathian basin, naturally all white, are Hárslevelű, Welschriesling, Furmint, Juhfark and the little bit unfairly underestimated Gewürztraminer.

Loyal to the terroir, committed to environmentally responsible methods – as from 2023 uniquely in Hungary will be the whole Nagy-Somló region – the winery refrains from using synthetic insecticides and pesticides. The wines ferment spontaneously in oak casks without any additives apart from sulphur and fining agents.

In the view of the Apátsági Pince, Somló wine should be full-bodied, concentrated and free of any compromise.

for more: http://juhfark.hu/en/

The mythical volcanic hills of Nagy-Somló are one of those micro regions which are valued highly for their unique soil types, which are Pannonian sediments mingled with basalt. Vines are enriched with minerality that strengthens their character.

The winery has been founded by Mr Fekete, familiarly know as Uncle Béla. He has been cultivating his passion since the 70´s until 2014 when three friends have decided to continue in his efforts.

Currently, they are producing wines on 3,5 hectares on Somló hill mostly from locally typical varieties. This is a white wines realm. Minerality and acidity provided by the volcanic soils best suits to Furmint - emblematic variety of Tokaj, Juhfark - most famous of Somló, or others like Welshriesling or Hárslevelu.

These small hills abandoned on the plains of north-west Hungary are a perfect example of terroir with character.

for more: https://feketepincesomlo.hu/en/

Brothers Tamás and László Kasnyik have been running amongst vineyards since childhood . Their dream of producing their own wine became reality in 2006 when they first got on the endeavour of winemaking. Today, they are amongst the frontrunners of the Authentists movement launched by common minded winemakers who seek for authentic, natural expression of central European wine.

Pannonia, as part of the former Roman empire, is for them the cradle of central European viticulture, its laws and technology grow from the same root which is common for all wine loving nations surrounded by the Alps and the Carpathian mountains.

You will find mostly local varieties like Welsh riesling, Gruner veltliner, Blaufrankish or Danube in the Kasnyik collection. Their wines are robust as the contact with skin of the grape is often extended. They like to experiment, so you could taste a seven days macerated Welsh riesling which reminds of an orange wine, but keeps its varietal characteristics. Kasnyik brothers avoid additives and modern chemical interventions to produce the cleanest possible wine from what the vineyard has to offer.

for more: https://kasnyikwine.sk/

Charming sisters living their way amongst the vineyards of Sopron. Coming from a wine-growing family, growing up between Austria and Hungary, they have settled in Sopron which has great location and microclimate influenced by the proximity of Neusiedler lake.

Brigit and Katrin are a well-balanced tandem. Brigit has been given a profound education in winemaking since the age of 14. After she graduated from a prestigious college of oenology near Vienna, she travelled the world to gain experiences in winemaking from California, through Argentina to New Zealand. On her return, she was one of the first Hungarian winemakers to introduce organic viticulture on the estate taken over from her parents.

On the other hand, Katrin studied economics and never even tasted wine until the age of 18. However, the enthusiasm of her sister has enchanted her and since then she fully devoting her time to family business of winemaking and taking care of her young daughter. Wine has a story to tell and therefore Katrin names each vintage according to its characteristics.

Sopron is know for its Kékfrankos, as Blaufrankish is know here. This is a region of fruity and often more spicy red wines which Pfneiszl sisters represent so well.

for more: http://pfneiszl.hu/

There are not many of winemakers who are stimulating the tourism of south Slovakia in such extent as Bott Frigyes. You can call him a local patriot with strong sense for central Europe. He cultivates his 10 hectares wines on the top of the  volcanic hills of Muzsla above the confluence of Danube, Hron and Ipeľ rivers which meet themselves under the supervision of Esztergom basilica. These vineyards have been cultivated by the clergy for ages and now they are regaining their deserved attention.

Besides being a winemaker, Bott Frigyes runs a guest house and a wine cellar. All of them interconnected within the triangle of Garam Mente which seeks to be discovered.

His winemaking is following the natural path, the rich concentration of minerals imparts distinctive character to his wines, which are striving for the perfect expression of terroir. Principles of biodynamics, no additives, spontaneous fermentation, lees stirring, no filtration. The grower trains his wines on low cordon and sets them to low yields. Pure wine in the bottle. Bott Frigyes cultivates mainly local varieties like Furmint, Juhfark, Blaufrankish or Kadarka. The results are stunning and potential is huge.

for more: https://www.bottfrigyes.sk/sk/

In between the valleys of the overseen south-central Slovakia, fresh winemaking wind is blowing from experienced enthusiastic personalities. It´s ecological, keeps up to bio standards and follows the traditional path.

This is an example of winery which is purely a family business. It all started with Ján Domin, the founder, who has given the first impetus. His passion for wine is now being carried forward by his daughter Diana Kušická and her husband Tibor Kušický. Enthusiasm for winemaking is contagious and today almost every family member has a specific role completing the whole concept.

The area around the city of Veľký Krtíš has been prone for winemaking since 14th century. However, the region has been going through a multitude of challenges. It has been a courageous decision of Mr Domin to chose this neglected region for his newly planted biological vineyard in 2001. The courage has been well deserved and now the fruits of hard work are paying back. Beyond 40 hectares of proper vineyards, the company is also planting walnut trees and keeps a small farm, all in harmonious synergy.

for more: https://dominkusicky.sk/

Genius loci, a place that attracted attention for centuries. The Pannonhalma abbey has been founded by Benedictine monks in 1224 when first monastic buildings have been erected.

The site has suffered deterioration after World War II when it was confiscation. Restorations to current state are the fruit of common effort of the Abbey and the Hungarian Foreign Trade Bank. As the site is listed in UNESCO World Heritage since 1996 it is considered an integral part of national culture. After the purchase and renovation of vineyards and properties, the winery has reopened to public in 2004.

The winery offers clean and locally traditional wines with modern style and varietal expressions. They are most enjoyed with a view from the abbey terrasse down on the Danube lowlands.This place makes the mind wander in history, look back at centuries of human struggle for perfection.

for more: https://apatsagipinceszet.hu/

A small family winery which came to being only recently in 2013 but made its spot on the wine map of south Slovakia. Located just some ten kilometres from the Danube river, in a south oriented and sunny valley, these vineyards are benefiting from a unique terroir of Bátorove Kosihy. The production site is set in the middle of a three hectares vineyard offering mainly regionally specific varieties - Welsh riesling, Gruner veltliner, Riesling, but also Cabernet franc or Merlot.

The aim of the Bóna family is to produce clean wine with the least possible interventions in the cellar. A good wine does not necessarily need added sulphur, that is their motto. By precise work in the cellar with use of stainless wine tanks but also oak barrels, they always strive to underline the natural character of each vintage. They believe in the potential of the Danubian Lowland which offers all the necessary conditions to grow ripe and elegant grapes. And that is why Bóna winery can produce their elegant wines reflecting the region´s specifics.

for more: http://www.bonawinery.sk/

Located just behind the famous Badacsony hill, north of Balaton, Aron Molnar and Karina Vissonova have decided to settle on the Szent György-hegy to create their original wines. The boutique winery is proudly bottling only what the organicaly grown vines offer each vintage. Even though they never thought of becoming winemakers, they managed to turn their passion into a real craft. Cultivating vines only on two hectares makes their production unique in every sense. With limited quantity they can concentrate on the best selection of their Pinot Noir, Pinot gris or Welsh riesling.

Aron is behind the acronym PAP, which goes for Papa Aron Pince. He is coming from a gastronomic family and his life long travels have cultivated his quest for senses. On his travels in Middle East and India he encountered a vast variety of gastronomic styles. But the most important encounter came in Copenhagen where he met Karina. Their passion for good food and wine led them to settle in Aron`s homeland, Hungary, where they found their home.

Artisan winemakers since 2013 they are already well rooted in the world of quality wine. Their vision to keep it on the boutique scale is a guarantee for profound experiences.

for more: https://www.papwines.com/

Being one of the founding fathers of the Authentists mouvement in south Slovakia, Andras Matyas is an emblematic example of a natural wine maker. Producing on around 12 hectares, his grapes are being treated in an ecological manner. He follows this path in the cellar and manages to produce wines which show strong local character.

Matyas winery is located in Nová Vieska, a small village in the famous Strekov region in south Slovakia. When entering the winemakers production site, you will have an impression of stepping into his own house, surrounded by trees, wineyards and other small cottages. This is a purely family issue - welcoming and cosy. So are the wines produced by this authentic winemaker.

He concentrates on varieties which have long tradition in the region like that of Feteasca regala, Welsh riesling or Blaufrankish. But his wineyards produce equally good quality of well know varieties like Pinot blanc, which the family proudly consider to be their jewel.

for more: http://matyaspince.sk/site/sk/