Wine route in Malé Karpaty Wine route in Malé Karpaty

Wine route in Malé Karpaty

The idea to establish the wine route in Slovakia has spread not a long time ago as a result of need to make Malé Karpaty region more attractive and to introduce it to Slovak and foreign visitors. Vineyard and wine-making traditions, a long-time history rich in ancient sights, surviving folklore and typical look of vineyard houses, cuisine specialities, interesting fauna and flora connected with relaxing opportunities are the attractive goods to be offered to wide range of visitors who can be amused and lectured at the same time. 

Wine route in Malé Karpaty goes through the towns of Bratislava, Svätý Jur, Pezinok and Modra and nearby villages of Bratislava, Pezinok and Trnava districts.

Every year there is a celebration „Malokarpatske wine harvest“ organised on Malokarpatska Wine Route in Modra or Pezinok. This celebration worships work of wine farmers. The procession takes place on the third Sunday in September; it characterises the villages of region, local habits, cultural traditions, crafts and other regional specialities.

One of the most popular events in Modra is cider tasting from St Florian fountain in a park at noontime. It is organised by Malokarpatska tourist information agency.

Every year  “Cellars Open Day" takes place in November. The visitors can taste wines from Bratislava up to Trnava. Wine farmers’ celebration is organised in Raca and Svaty Jur - town parts of Bratislava.Each town or village offers something interesting. Vajnory is the most characteristic part of Bratislava; it attracts tourists by folklore and Memorial House with exposition of Vajnory farmer and wine maker. State nature heritage Šúr with lake sediments, south forests with unique flora and fauna is situated in Svätý Jur.

A visit to Malokarpatské Wine Museum in Pezinok or School property in Modra is one of the attractions of Wine Route in Malé Karpaty. The exposition includes quality wine tasting from the area and business contacts making or experiences exchange.

In the large ancient park of Pezinok there is a rebuilt Baroque chateau. Its interior is used for VIP receptions together with wine tasting in these days. Slovak national hero Ľudovít Štúr is buried in Modra; his memorial room and museum are very attractive especially for Slovak visitors. Slovenský and Chorvátsky Grob have preserved the traditions of embroidering and lace making as well as ornamental fireplace paintings. The walls of the houses are decorated with ornaments and the original ancient wooden crosses are kept in the graveyard. The cuisine offer stressed by taste of local wines typical for the area is also very interesting.

Malé Karpaty area is rich in culture and historical sights. In the old centres of Svätý Jur, Pezinok, Modra and other towns there are still typical wine maker’s houses with large cellars.

In Budmerice village there is the 19th century chateau, the seat of the House of Slovak writers today. The huge castle from the 13th century called Červený kameň is standing above the villages of Píla and Častá.

The town of Modra offers the town fortification from the 17th century, preserved High Gate, bastion and town memorial zone. In Pezinok the town fortification and the castle from the 17th century are preserved. Smolenice castle from the 19th century stands above the village of Smolenice. Svätý Jur offers the exhibition of castle base from Veľká Morava period (the 10th century), town fortification and Renaissance Pálffy’s chateau from the 17th century, the ruins of Biely kameň castle from the 14th century and town preserved zone.

All the towns in the region have beautiful churches, mainly from the 13th-14th centuries (Rača, Doľany Dolné Orešany, Modra, Svätý Jur, Šenkvice), chapels and cloisters (Pezinok, Sväty Jur), belfries (Smolenice, Svätý Jur, Viničné) and other historical buildings.

The sensitive visitor to the region will definitely be interested in the attractions, like the tradition of folklore culture in Vajnory with its characteristic folk costume, architecture, wall paintings and typical wind instruments music.

Slovenský Grob is famous by partying with roasted goose offered in the peoples’ houses.

Among the crafts the most interesting is the china from Modra - the most popular souvenir for Slovak and foreign tourists. So if you like nature, wine, goose meat and entertainment please take part on vintage festival in Malé Karpaty which will be held in Pezinok from 19th till 21st September 2008.