A country road lined with trees winds up to a winery set into fertile slopes. At its end is a modern, cosily furnished complex with beds of colourful perennials. In it a wooden swing with a view of the surrounding countryside, and comfortable loungers from which a glass of good wine tastes a little different … as if it had breathed in the flavours and scents of the landscape. An unexpected paradise in the middle of fields, surrounded by a virgin vineyard and grazing horses. And all of this just short distance from the motorway …
Vineyards covered the slopes of the Rybník area as far back as the time of St. Benedict Abbey. The first mentions of them go back to 1075. It was the Benedictine monks who stood at the birth of grape growing in the region below the Slovak Gate and taught the local population how to cultivate vineyards.
Grape growing gradually spread to the surrounding villages too. Wines from Tekov County were known as early as the Middle Ages also in the former mining towns – Banská Štiavnica, Banská Bystrica and Kremnica. The viticultural tradition is also evidenced by the original name of the village of Rybník – Villa Scelleus, which recalls the word “szőllő”, from the Hungarian for “grape” or “vineyard”.
The Rybník area and its vineyard plots have long had organised and planned land use, as evidenced by the “prielohy” – grassed areas with fruit trees. Part of the area above Rybník is still called Prieložky by locals. In the 1970s this place became famous above all for motocross; today it serves as a viewpoint and rest stop on the yellow cycle route.
The tradition of grape growing was preserved in this locality until the time of socialism, but disappeared shortly after its fall. The vineyards were overgrown by self-seeded trees and shrubs and fell into decay…
Virgin Wines
The slopes of the Rybník area were clearly not chosen by the grape growers by chance. The mineral-rich volcanic bedrock, the constantly blowing breeze that prevents moulds and diseases, and the fact that these slopes show the greatest temperature differences between day and night give the wines made here an unmistakable taste and character.
The brothers Frtus also realised the uniqueness of the terroir and the age-old tradition of grape growing, and established a new, young vineyard on the site of the original vineyards. It is interesting not only because Slovak varieties grown organically dominate in it, but also because the highest slopes are covered with white cultivars and the lower parts of the slopes with dark grape varieties. The Frtus Winery is focused primarily on Slovak varieties such as Pesecká leánka, Milia, Noria, but also the Europe-bred Chardonnay; among the reds, Dunaj, Hron and Frankovka modrá predominate.
At the beginning they planted 50,000 vine roots by hand. The young vineyard honoured its growers with its first virgin harvest in 2023. Since then, 60,000 bottles of quality wines are “produced” here every year, several of which have already won prestigious international awards.
Vitalité vs. Verité
The scenery, good wine and endless calm will make you reluctant to leave the winery. You can also make the trip on weekdays, relax at the winery and combine your visit with a walk through the vineyard, have a coffee, a dessert or a light snack, open a bottle of wine and enjoy it among friends and family.
If you are a fan of young, fresh and energetic wines or even “bubbles”, taste the wines from the Vitalité line – they will entertain, uplift and relieve daily stress. Lovers of good wines and all who understand wines will appreciate the Verité line – older vintages maturing in oak barrels, with a hidden philosophy and a story that needs to be discovered.
The experience space of Frtus Winery is a great place for team-building events, family gatherings, social events and tastings. Occasionally you can experience live music concerts or entertainment “under the open sky”.
Stop by for a short visit during the week too – the winery will be happy to welcome you from Tuesday to Friday from 8:00 to 16:30, and on Saturday from 12:00 to 21:00. For private events it is advisable to book in advance.
