🍇 Bahna Braňo Winery: The Geologist's Approach to Natural Wine

Braňo Bahna is the passionate owner and winemaker behind Bahna Braňo Winery, located in the historic royal town of Svätý Jur, in Slovakia’s Lesser Carpathian (Malokarpatská) wine region. His wines are a direct expression of his unique background, combining a deep ancestral winemaking tradition with a formal education in geology.

• Terroir-Driven Philosophy: Braňo's geological expertise gives him a distinct perspective on the land. He works with vineyards primarily situated on the steep, granite-bedrock slopes above Svätý Jur. This combination of soil and slope gives his wines a pronounced minerality and vibrant structure.

• Ancestral Roots and Modern Revival: The family's winemaking history stretches back to the 18th century in the Pukanec region. Braňo revived this legacy in 2004, purchasing and meticulously restoring a rundown Renaissance house in Svätý Jur with a large, ancient cellar—a perfect blend of history and future vision.

• The 'Controlled Idleness' Method: In the cellar, Braňo is a proponent of natural winemaking and minimal intervention. He practices a philosophy he calls "riadené ničnerobenie"—which translates to "controlled idleness"or "managed inaction."

  • Wines undergo spontaneous fermentation using only native yeasts.

  • They are made without the use of commercial yeasts, enzymes, or modern additives.

  • His guiding principle is simple: "Add nothing, take nothing away."

• Signature Wines & Styles: Braňo cultivates typical regional varieties like Grüner Veltliner (Veltlínske zelené), Welschriesling (Ryzlink Vlašský), and Riesling (Rizling Rýnsky). His standout 'JANTAR' (Amber) line is dedicated to skin-contact white wines (Orange Wines), showcasing the texture and complexity that comes from extended maceration.

The result is a portfolio of pure, expressive, and terroir-specific wines that reflect the rugged beauty of the Svätý Jur region.