The fist vineyards on the territory of Slovakia were founded by the Romans and the unique archaeological findings of the wine-grower´s knives date from 7th century.
The first written documents about wine-growing date from 11th - 13th centuries. The wine-growing tradition is proved by the motifs on village seals and town coats of arms. It the 13th century the most important wine-growing region was the region of the Malé Karpaty mountain range. German colonist also contributed greatly to creating the particular character of the wine-growing culture of this region.
Various customs are connected to the wine-growing tradition; e.g. decorating the statue of St. Urban, the patron saint of wine-growers, with vine twigs, customs connected to vintages, pouring wine onto the ground for the souls of those dead before the toast, etc.
Gradually wine-growing became more important and wine became an important commercial and export article. It is said that račianska frankovka (Frankovka of Rača) was drunk and appreciated at the court of Maria Theresa.
Among the best quality products of wine-growing and wine-making in the Kingdom of Hungary was the Tokay wine from the southern slopes of the Zemplínske vrchy mountain range.
source: Vydavateľstvo Dajama