Magula Family Estate

The Magula Family Estate is a distinguished natural wine producer located in Suchá nad Parnou, in the Malokarpatská (Little Carpathians) region of Western Slovakia. Led by Vladimír Magula Jr. and his family, the estate is celebrated for its deep commitment to biodynamic farming and minimal intervention winemaking, creating vibrant wines that genuinely express their northern terroir.

History & Philosophy

• Generational Roots: The family's winemaking tradition dates back to 1931 with great-grandfather Jozef Husár. The tradition was interrupted during the communist era and was revived by the Magula family in 2001, with their first significant vintage release in 2011.

• Biodynamic Focus: Since 2016, the 8.5 hectares of vineyards have been cultivated under certified organic and biodynamic principles, making Magula one of the founding members of Demeter Czech and Slovakia. They strive to live in harmony with nature, incorporating animals like horses and bees into their diverse, sustainable farm life.

• Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, the Magula philosophy is to "not intervene, while doing it all right."

  • Fermentation: Wines are spontaneously fermented using only indigenous yeasts.

  • Additives: They refrain from using commercial preparations, fining, or filtration.

  • Sulphur: Sulphur additions are kept to an absolute minimum, well below the EU limits for organic wines.

• Terroir Expression: The vineyards, situated in the Rose and Wolf Valleys, are characterized by deep loess soilsand a cool-climate microclimate, which contributes structure, freshness, and mineral character to their wines.

Key Wines and Varieties

Magula is known for its pure, authentic expressions of both traditional and indigenous Central European grapes:

• Reds: They focus on red varieties, notably Frankovka Modrá (Blaufränkisch) and the Slovak crossing Dunaj.

• Whites/Orange: They produce vibrant white and amber (orange) wines from varieties like Rizling Vlašský (Welschriesling), Grüner Veltliner, and Devín, often spending time on skins, exemplified by their cuvée "Oranžový Vlk" (Orange Wolf).

• Special Projects: They also produce wines like "Sen" (Dream), a high-quality rosé project in collaboration with Master of Wine Elizabeth Gabay, highlighting cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon and Frankovka Modrá.

As a member of the Slovak natural wine movement Autentista Slovakia, Magula Family Estate is a key player in showcasing the potential for world-class, authentic natural wines from the Little Carpathians.