The story
from 18. century
In the recent past, very important historical documents and artefacts have been discovered in the region of Upper Spiš, which document, both historically and in modern times, an important period of life in this region. Archival documents show that the oldest preserved distillery in Slovakia from the second half of the 18th century stands in Stara Ľubovňa. century.
at Ľubovňa Castle
Further mentions of the distillery are given in the description of Ľubovňa Castle in the Hungarian Geographical Dictionary from 1851. The foundation of the old distillery still stands under the castle today. It is apparently the oldest preserved object of this kind in Slovakia! Clear documents preserved since the 18th century document the centuries-old tradition of distilling in this region. This was one of the decisive reasons why the company BGV, s.r.o., which is based directly in the picturesque Spiš village of Hniezdno, decided to revive the tradition of producing quality “brandy” in this region.
for the production of alcohol
The rare plan and other documents describe in detail not only the time context of the establishment of the distillery, but also where and from what raw materials alcohol was distilled in Ľubovňa about 250 years ago. According to a record from 1747, part of the rye grown under the castle was given to the local “gorzelnik” for the distillation of “gorzalka” (a general name for alcohol from wheat and other cereals, from which vodka is produced, for example). This means that real “gořalka” was distilled in Stará Ľubovňa already in the first half of the 18th century, which is earlier than originally assumed. The alcohol was therefore produced here similarly to whiskey – by fermenting a mash of grain. Subsequent storage took place in barrels – although not yet oak and not for a period of at least 3 years, which was only established after 1915.
families
The old distillery tradition was later continued by the Morgenbesser family from Staroľubovňa. Nestville Distillery continues to produce high-quality brandy, following an old tradition, measured over three centuries. In addition to the state-of-the-art distillery and a new liqueur factory, Nestville Distillery in Hniezdno has also created an exhibition of distillery and related crafts in northern Spiš, where visitors have the opportunity to experience and see the history and present of distillery in an interesting and attractive form. The presentation is not only about whiskey, but it is an exhibition documenting the entire history of distillery in northern Spiš with today’s modern technologies. This is also one of the ways in which the company wants to keep these traditions alive for the younger generation. What is important is that the company is built on a real tradition that is proven.
in the idea
