For three days, Slovakia became the center of the global wine world. Success for local winemakers at one of the most prestigious wine competitions.
Fifty top-tier wine tasters from four continents gathered at the 12th annual Danube Wine Challenge international competition at Chateau Bela. Over the course of three days of judging, they anonymously evaluated a record number of wine samples from 11 countries around the world. The prestigious Prix VINOFED trophies, awarded to the winners of the final round of the highest-rated dry wines in four categories, were won by Slovak winemakers.
The Prix VINOFED and the title of Champion go to the following wines: Sauvignon 2025 from Predium Vráble winery; Cabernet Franc Rosé 2024 from the VINIDI winery, Báb; Dunaj 2023 from BORVIN Gbelce winery; and Bóna Noria-Svoj sen- Veltlínske zelené sparkling wine 2023 from Bóna Bátorove Kosihy winery.
The winners of the Danube Wine Trophy were selected by the final jury from among the best dry still wines made from the Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch varieties. The winners were Grüner Veltliner Ried Thal from the Kamptal region, vintage 2025, from the Austrian winery Hiedler, and Blaufränkisch 2023 from the Slovak family winery Pavelka a syn in Pezinok.
“The competition, where top experts evaluate wines according to the strictest international criteria, is a unique opportunity to see how a wine performs when compared to its global competitors. It also allows smaller winemakers to submit their samples and receive evaluations from recognized experts. If successful, the prestigious award can serve as an excellent marketing tool,” explains oenologist and General Director of the Danube Wine Challenge Edita Ďurčová. More than half of the competing wines were submitted by Slovak winemakers; over 100 samples came from Spain, 80 wines from the Czech Republic, and others from France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Australia, and Argentina.
“We appreciate that top international wine experts—the best and most influential from around the world—have traveled to Slovakia. During the tasting days and the accompanying professional program, we had the opportunity to discuss current trends as well as challenges, establish important professional contacts, and exchange valuable industry insights,”, stated several Slovak jury members.
The Danube Wine Challenge is the only competition in the region of the former Czechoslovakia that is a member of VINOFED, the World Federation of Major International Wine and Spirits Competitions, and is held under the high patronage of the most prominent wine authorities — the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and the International Union of Oenologists (UIOE). The event is supported by the national tourism promotion organization SLOVAKIA TRAVEL. It is precisely these guarantees that rank the competition among respected international platforms.
“In terms of wine quality, Slovakia has reached a very high standard, which continues to improve every year. Such prestigious competitions can attract wine and gastronomy lovers from around the world to the host country,” assessed renowned French oenologist and VINOFED President Thierry Gasco. “Wine tourism is very popular today. I am convinced that Slovakia has all the prerequisites for its development and is already doing very well in this regard.” says José Valdearcos from Spain, an expert in gastronomy and wine tourism.
The competition takes place annually in the unique settings of Chateau Bela in southern Slovakia. The program also includes expert lectures, visits to vineyards, and meetings between foreign experts and local winemakers, which contribute to the promotion of Slovak winemaking and wine regions.
“There was a great atmosphere of cooperation and professional exchange of views among the tasters. In a short time, the organizers managed to introduce us to the beauty of Slovakia, its rich gastronomy, excellent wines, and above all the kindness, warmth, and hospitality of the local people,” said renowned Swiss sommelier Roberta Bernasconi, reflecting on her very first visit to Slovakia.
The judges also evaluated orange, fruit, and non-alcoholic wines from the top-quality ultralight RONA glasses made in Slovakia. The jury awarded a total of 36 Grand Gold and 221 Gold medals, of which 23 Grand Gold and 154 Gold medals were assigned to Slovak wines.
The trophies will be presented to the winners by prominent personalities, representatives of state organizations, and embassies on June 24, 2026 at the Danube Wine Day gala tasting at the Water Museum in Bratislava, where the wine-loving public will have the opportunity to taste the winning wines and meet the award-winning winemakers in person. The traveling tastings will continue throughout Slovakia as part of the unique project “Nevinne o víne.” (Innocent about Wine).
For further information, please contact:
Lucia Hamran Kollárová, PR Manager of the event
+421 915 284 081
pr@danubewine.sk
https://danubewine.sk/
