Pálffy Manor in the Small Carpathians (Malokarpatská)

The Small Carpathians, home to half of Slovakia’s wine producers, bear witness to the nation’s ancient wine culture and its turbulent journey

Slovakia’s winemaking legacy, primarily rooted in its southern regions and continental climate, unveils a rich history within the Small Carpathians region, dating back to the 12th century. Iconic settlements like Modra, Pezinok and Svätý Jur evolved into free royal cities by the 17th century.

Although records first mention Svätý Jur in 1209, archaeological finds here date back to the Neolithic period. Traces of an 800 BC Hallstatt settlement remain, as do a 9th century Great Moravian hillfort.

Despite facing destruction by Tatars and King of Bohemia Přemysl Otakar II in the mid to late 13th century, Svätý Jur transformed into a landowning, self-governing town, including among its number a richtár (delegated office holder), sworn servants and a vineyard master. Alongside Pezinok, Svätý Jur became the seat of the counts and the economic centre of their estates, reaching the pinnacle of being a free royal town in 1647.

Svätý Jur’s viticultural prominence as a Riesling paradise, with its 5,588ha of vineyards, is enhanced by VIAJUR. Embracing this legacy, VIAJUR produces two exquisite Rieslings, Jurský Riesling and Riesling Liebling, both capturing the essence of Svätý Jur’s terroir.

The region’s diverse soils, with heavier loamy soils in the southeast and lighter, sandy loam to stony soils in the northwest, hold significant sway over the final wine.

The southwestern slopes, particularly in Svätý Jur, showcase a distinct character, benefiting from welldraining granitic and sandy soils that allow deep root penetration for the vines.

The historic Pálffy Manor, standing as a sentinel to 700 years of viticultural tradition, is now home to the thriving VIAJUR winery. Notable historical reconstructions and the influence of figures like Katarína Pálffy in the 16th century have intertwined the manor’s story with the broader context of the Habsburg era. Today, VIAJUR, under the guidance of winemaker Tomáš Dilong, brings a fresh perspective, producing 150,000 bottles of white, rosé, red, sparkling and dessert wines each year. The commitment to quality, underscored by sustainable practices and a chemical and preservative-free approach, narrates a tale of prosperity and dedication to Slovakian winemaking.