Pivnica Čajkov

The Čajkov winery ('Pivnica Čajkov') is a family-owned winery with rich history dating back to XVII century. Our family has been strongly linked with Čajkov, the southern slopes of Štiavnické vrchy and, of course, with wine for several generations. We have always substantially affected the local wine-making and belonged to the biggest growers and makers of wine in Čajkov. My view and understanding of wine represents a logical result of the life with Čajkov vineyards and wine. The fact that my life has been tied with wine ever since I was born means that I have always wanted to make my own, and, of course, best and top-quality wine. As the time passed by, I started to apply the knowledge gained in schools, I was looking for new modern production methods and applied new technologies springing up every day. I wanted to be better than those before me. I wanted to prove to myself and all those around me that new times have come and a new generation was going to take over the world of wine. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I look back and smile but I also perceive those times as irreplaceable experience thanks to which I understood how precious and unique Čajkov is, its terroir, traditional species, and the volcanic base that do not get enhanced but denied through application of artificial and forcible procedures. The life of wine is not only about the past, it is also about the future and we should decide how to make use of the past to create future. Today, I approach grapes and wine with respect and humility. This is the only way how a man may serve as a tool to improve and present wine. This became obvious to me for the first time in connection with Pesecká leánka the tender character of which gets slightly disturbed and uniform when applying, even if in a sensitive manner, selected yeast, enzymes or other additives. The only proper way is to respect the forces of nature and influences of a year, to understand the place of origin and discover what the nature has granted to us through wine. I do not chase success, points or medals any more. I do not look for “the best” wine. Today, I know that the true gold is hidden in the character and individuality of our unique region and those specific features cannot be forcibly pressed into glasses. Those winemakers who are still after the “best quality” will find out with time that the term “quality” means the individuality associated with the character of their vineyard.