Pivnica Orechová below Vihorlat: tastings in a deep wine cellar

Wine from volcanic slopes

Vihorlat is a volcanic range in eastern Slovakia, best known for the Morské oko lake and its beech primeval forests. Its south-western slopes, sheltered from northern winds by the mountains, have long been planted with vines: this is the Sobrance district of the East Slovak wine region. Summers here are hot and often dry, winters frosty and snowy, and the volcanic soils give the wines a distinctive minerality.

The story of Pivnica Orechová began in 1966, when a breeding station of the Bratislava-based Research Institute of Viticulture and Oenology was founded in the village of Orechová. New varieties for the East Slovak Lowland were bred here — partly in cooperation with the well-known Slovak breeder Dorota Pospíšilová — and vine cuttings were raised for the whole Sobrance district. In 1967–1968 about 54 hectares of experimental vineyards with a world collection of varieties were planted, and in 1970 an underground two-aisled vaulted cellar was completed. Since 1994 a private winery has continued the work. Today it farms 56 hectares: the Hajaš vineyard, planted in 1987–1988 from virus-free material, and the vineyard right by the winery, where vines of Blaufränkisch, Riesling and Welschriesling from 1967–1968 still grow. The grapes are processed in a modern press house, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vessels, and the wines are finished and stored in the underground cellar 6–12 metres deep, which holds 450,000 litres.

Why go

• The cellar and wine archive. During a tasting you can see the underground cellar up to 12 metres deep, with two corridors and a wine archive — the pride of the estate.
• A wine trail. A walk through the vineyards around the winery with an explanation of how the vines are tended.
• From grape to bottle. As an extra, a look at the press house and fermentation hall, where the temperature of each vessel is controlled separately.
• A tasting in the "Hodovňa". A tasting hall for 50 guests; local dishes are served with the wine.

What to taste and buy

The winery grows 15 varieties — 10 white and 5 red, including traditional grapes and new Slovak crosses. Try late-harvest and ice-wine Riesling, Welschriesling, Pinot Gris, Red Traminer (from selection to raisin selection), the Slovak crosses Dunaj and Neronet, and archive wines. Wines are sold in the winery shop and online; gift sets and wines with special-occasion labels are available. Couples preparing a wedding can arrange a separate tasting of wedding wine.

Practical information

Address: Orechová 89, 072 51 Orechová (Sobrance district) — a small village between Sobrance and Michalovce; a car is the most convenient way to get there.

Shop: Monday–Friday 7:15–15:15, closed at weekends (as of October 2026; one page of the site says 9:00–15:00, so call before you come). Tastings are only for booked groups of 8–50: about €15 per person with snacks or €25 with dinner, plus the wine. Booking: +421 911 452 096, +421 56 698 11 80, [email protected] or the web form. Individual visitors should ask whether they can join a group.

Nearby

• Morské oko — the largest lake of Vihorlat, about 25 km north.
• Zemplínska šírava — the "Slovak sea", about 20 km.
• Tokaj wineries in southern Zemplín — for example J&J Ostrožovič in Veľká Tŕňa.

Official website: pivnicaorechova.sk

Photos: pivnicaorechova.sk.