Malokarpatská cesta, also known as the Little Carpathian Wine Route, is a scenic road that winds through the picturesque Small Carpathian Wine Region in Slovakia. The Small Carpathian Wine Route combines several phenomena – wine, the landscape, the history, and the cuisine of the region located between Bratislava and Trnava, as major centers of southwestern Slovakia.
In the previous article, we talked about where tourists, as well as locals and all wine lovers, can find the best wine in Slovakia.
Now let’s take a closer look at one of the most popular wine events in Slovakia: Malokarpatská vínna cesta.
drink wine and no mourning!
Whether you drink or not
once you’ll leave this world!
Don’t have a sour face,
just drink a wine with grace!
Visitors have a door open!
Visitors can stop at various points along the route to sample the local wines, visit historic wine cellars, and enjoy the traditional cuisine of the region. Many of the wineries offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to learn about the winemaking process and sample some of the region’s most celebrated wines.
The Little Carpathian Wine Route is not just about wine, however. Along the way, visitors can explore charming medieval towns, such as Svätý Jur, Pezinok, and Modra, which are a big part of Slovak history and culture.
The largest number of open wine cellars is in Modra. Modra used to be the largest vineyard community in Czechoslovakia. Pezinok is considered the center of the Small Carpathian region, but the most beautiful wine cellars are in Svätý Jur, which will enchant you with its well-preserved historical Renaissance core.
The region is also home to several castles and palaces, including the stunning Cerveny Kamen Castle, but also the ruins of Biely Kameň Castle and numerous palaces of the Pálffy family, which dates to the 13th century and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
It’s an ideal destination for wine lovers, history buffs, and nature enthusiasts alike. The route offers a unique opportunity to experience the traditional winemaking culture of Slovakia, as well as explore the stunning natural and cultural attractions of the Little Carpathian Mountains.
OPEN CELLARS IN NOVEMBER
Malokarpatská vínna cesta is a project or product that was created in the Malokarpatský wine region 23 years ago. The main event takes place in November when around 130 wine cellars are open from Devín to Dolné Orešany. It is a two-day event where people can taste as much wine as they want in as many cellars as they want for the price of 50 Euros. The price also includes a 25 Euro bonus for purchasing wine.
This event is a unique opportunity for wine lovers to explore the traditional winemaking culture of the Malokarpatský wine region. Visitors can taste the high-quality wines, that the region is famous for. They can also learn about the traditional winemaking methods that have been passed down through generations of winemakers.
The event is popular, drawing in visitors from all over Slovakia and beyond. It is a great opportunity to meet new people, makes new friends, and share in the joy of good wine and good company. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of wine, the Malokarpatská vínna cesta is a must-visit event.
The event takes place on 24 and 25 November 2023. Tickets can be purchased soon.
Feast of Saint Urban
Maybe you ask right now, who is Saint Urban? And what connects him to the Little Carpathian Wine Route?
Well, Saint Urban is the patron saint of winemakers and winegrowers, as well as coopers. He is also believed to protect against frost to give the vine-growers a bountiful harvest. He was known for being understanding towards condemned believers and skeptics and even converted some of them to Christianity. It’s said that several wine-making societies were established under his patronage.
The statue of this saint can be found by the roads leading to the vineyards. However, it also happened that frosts came after the feast of St. Urban and the vineyards froze. Then the angry vine-growers destroyed the statue of St. Urban. Today, winegrowers do not rely on St. Urban exclusively. They prefer to heat the vineyards to raise the temperature so that the vines don’t freeze.
OPEN CELLAR OF SAINT URBAN
Open Cellars of Saint Urban are held third weekend in May. During this two-day event, visitors have the unique opportunity to meet directly with the winemakers who are proud of their wines made from grapes grown in the Small Carpathian vineyards.
Visitors can taste these wines directly from the producer in their environment, whether in traditional cellars that have grown close to the winemaker’s heart or in modern wineries that enchant visitors with both excellent wines and exceptional architecture.
This year you can enjoy Open Cellar of St. Urban during the weekend from 19-20.May. The 16th Open Cellars event will offer visitors wines from 133 cellars spread across 21 towns and villages in the Small Carpathian region, from Devin through Raca, Vajnory, St. Jur, Pezinok, Modra, Senkvice to Dolne Oresany. Although some visitors may return year after year, there is always something new to discover. In addition to excellent wines, visitors can also enjoy delicious culinary delights, often personally prepared by the winemakers themselves, and music directly in the cellars. It’s a fantastic opportunity to spend two days enjoying great wines and pleasant experiences in the flourishing Small Carpathian region.
If you want to buy tickets, need advice, or are looking for a guide to show you the most beautiful wine cellars and the best wines, do not hesitate to contact us.
