is a voluntary association of Slovak grape growers and wine producers. It was created by a merger between the Slovak Union of Wine Producers (1992) and Union of Grape and Wine Producers in Slovakia (1993).
Today, the Union has 104 members and collectively represents 87% of total wine production and around 4300 ha of vineyards.
The union’s main activities are:
- It represents the interests of its members in relation to state administration bodies, especially concerning customs and tax as well as creation of quality standards, health regulations and trademarks,
- participates in the creation and amendment of legal regulations related to the business activities of its members,
- provides other services based on specific requests from union members. These are always listed in the schedule of activities for the given period,
- offers consulting services for its members,
- advocates for the development and defends the position and rights of its members in a market economy,
- strengthens cooperation with partner associations and other bodies and organisations,
- offers educational content related to viticulture and wine production in the form of training courses and lectures,
- the union’s activities exclude any focus on its own business and on generating profit from its activities,
- professionally and financially ensures the operation of the Slovak National Collection of Wines,
- organises and finances the joint participation of its members in international exhibitions, trade fairs and similar events, to the extent agreed upon by its members,
- conducts research and development in the field of viticulture and wine production,
- tests and applies new research findings and innovative technologies,
- maintains, cares for, and expands genetic resources of grapevines,
- verifies/certifies compliance with the quality specifications of wine products,
- compiles the Viticulture and Winemaking Code,
Nowadays, the members consider the Union an important contact point with grape growers and wine producers, as the representative function it fulfils drastically simplifies communication between them.
The highest authority within the Union is an annual general assembly.
Projects and the activities of the union:
- The only recognized producer organization for the viticulture and wine production sector in Slovakia – partner for all state administration bodies
- Accredited organisation for research and development
- Slovak wine ceremony
- Vinery of the year
- The Slovak National Collection of Wines.
- Promotion of Slovak wines within Slovakia and outside the EU
- Sending wine samples to competitions
- Consultation services
Who works for you:
Ing. Vladimír Mrva – president of the Slovak Union of Grape Growers and Wine Producers
Oenologist and chairman of Mrva & Stanko. He is known as the producer behind the successful Mrva & Stanko winery in Slovakia. Mr. Vladimír is also the president of the Slovak Union of Grape Growers and Wine Producers and represents Slovak wine as such in important matters.
Ing. Jaroslava Kaňuchová Pátková, PhD., executive director of the Slovak Union of Grape Growers and Wine Producers and also the face of the union, she represents the union and its members externally. Her main responsibilities are negotiating in favour of grape growers and wine producers. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Union and the Slovak National Collection of Wines. She is available as a consultant for all grape growers and wine producers via email or phone, advising on legislature, labelling, competitions, project consulting and situation reports on the wine
Ing. Peter Minárik, head sommelier of the Slovak National Collection of Wines. “I come from the village Častá, which is located on the Small Carpathian Wine Route. I am from a grape-growing family that has extensive vineyards, as well as a long tradition of wine-making. I studied at the Secondary School of Wine and Fruit Production in Modra, where I gained theoretical and practical experience of the practices of wineries. Later I enrolled in the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra in the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering.
When I finished my studies, I worked in multiple wineries and later in the public sector for the Central Control and Testing Institute in Agriculture (ÚKSÚP). When the opportunity to work as a sommelier at the Slovak National Collection of Wines, I didn’t hesitate and today I am the head sommelier.
I manage the Slovak National Collection of Wines, and mainly do guided wine tastings as well as private events. If you need a wine recommendation, I am here to help!”