Winnica Chronów: natural wines where the Island Beskids begin

Winnica Chronów lies where the Island Beskids (Beskid Wyspowy) begin, on the edge of the Wiśnicz-Lipnica Landscape Park, in the small village of Chronów in the Nowy Wiśnicz commune. It is a family wine farm of about one hectare, founded in 2012; wine has been sold here since 2016. The owners do almost all the work in the vineyard and the cellar themselves and try to intervene as little as possible both in nature and in winemaking: some wines ferment on natural yeasts, and all are vegan, as no animal-derived fining agents are used.

The vineyard grows a dozen or so varieties: among whites Seyval Blanc, Solaris, Hibernal, the Polish Jutrzenka, Souvignier Gris, Sauvignac, Bianca and Swenson Red; among reds Rondo, Regent, Maréchal Foch and Léon Millot. It belongs to the Małopolska Wine Route, and Kraków, Nowy Sącz and Tarnów are all about 50 km away. The countryside around is hilly, with fields alternating with woods, so it is a pleasant place to come for the walk alone.

Why go

• A vineyard walk. Stroll between the rows of vines far from city noise and learn about the varieties and how they are grown in the Carpathian climate.
• Tasting with local food. The owners offer their white and red wines together with traditional dishes and treats of the Wiśnicz area, so you can judge how they pair.
• The harvest. In autumn you can join a real grape harvest, processing and pressing, and see how wine is born.
• A talk with the winemaker. The owners happily share their knowledge of growing vines and the details of production.

What to taste and buy

Small batches of characterful wines: the fresh white AM XXV from Swenson Red with aromas of wild strawberry and white currant, the white Bianc XXIV from Bianca, the skin-contact "orange" wines LIDI SKIN XXIII (Souvignier Gris and Sauvignac) and SEY SKIN XXIII (Seyval Blanc) with notes of quince and dried apricot, and the red LM XXII from Maréchal Foch and Léon Millot. According to the price list on the website a bottle costs 60–70 zł; some wines sell out quickly. You can buy on site or order by phone, e-mail or Facebook.

The owners themselves suggest what to serve with their wines: AM XXV with light cow's-milk cheeses, green salad with feta or steamed fish; Bianc XXIV, with aromas of young peach, mirabelle and mulberry, with grilled vegetables and delicate fish; the rich SEY SKIN with braised meat, cheese tart or pizza; and LIDI SKIN even with oriental dishes. A natural sediment may appear in the bottles; they recommend storing the wines lying down in a cool, shaded place.

Practical information

Address: Chronów 209, 32-720 Chronów (Nowy Wiśnicz commune, Małopolska). It is easiest to come by car: about 12 km south-east of Bochnia and a few kilometres from Nowy Wiśnicz. Visits are by prior arrangement; the price of a tasting is agreed when booking. Contacts: +48 691 974 741, [email protected]. Tastings are for adults only.

Nearby

• Nowy Wiśnicz Castle — the Lubomirski family's baroque castle on a hill.
• The Easter palm contest in Lipnica Murowana and the wooden church of St Leonard (UNESCO).
• Bochnia Salt Mine — one of the oldest in Poland.
• Nowizny winery — about 24 km away.

Official website: winnicachronow.pl

Photos: static.wixstatic.com.