7 Hungarian highlights

1054 wines from 17 countries were entered into the 27th edition of VinAgora international wine competition, held in Budapest, Hungary. Champion winners were announced in 8 categories this year, while 17 Grand Gold medals were awarded. A total of 220 wines received Gold medals, representing more than one-fifth of all entries, while 100 wines were awarded Silver medals. In addition, 315 wines received the Commended distinction.

Wines of our cover photo

– Vesztergombi Vintage 2021, Szekszárd – Grand Gold winner

This vintage has several vintages–since here Vintage is the name of the wine. It is a blend of five grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Kékfrankos. The wine named Csaba also received gold medal.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

– Vylyan Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Villány – The Best Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc

It is the VERY FIRST Sauvignon Blanc of Vylyan, it has just debuted, and it costs only 2790 HUF / around 7.8 EUR on the webshop of the winery! Vylyan won 3 gold medals alogether at VinAgora.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery

– Frittmann Hajnal 2025, Kunság – gold medal

When an easy-going, affordable wine gets gold medal, there is hope for humanity. Yes, every-day, thirst quenching, charming wines can also be appreciated. This white blend costs only 1700 HUF / less than 5 EUR on the webshop of the winery!
VinAgora fact sheet
More about the wine

– Garamvári Mimi Blanc de Blancs brut NV, Balatonboglár – gold medal

Garamvári Vineyards is one of the most successful wineries of VinAgora–this year with 5 gold medals! Mimi is a special traditional method sparkling wine, actually, it is a love message made of Pinot Blanc…
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Garamvári Vineyard

More than 20 wineries

A. Gere, Bock, Gere Tamás & Zsolt, Jackfall, Koch, Sauska, Teleki and many others will bring their wines to the capital of Hungary, to save wine professionals from a 2.5 hours’ drive. From the light and easy drinking, Portugieser based RedY through the iconic Bordeaux blends to the highly acknowledged Villányi Franc, Villány has a lot to present, not to mention the traditional method sparkling wines and the more and more popular Villány white wines.

Date and time: 28 April 2026, 13.00–18.00
Venue: Castle Garden Bazaar terrace, Budapest
To register write an email to this address, stating your wine professional status.
Wine connoisseurs can also register in limited number.
Exhibiting wineries: Agancsos, Bíbor, Bock, Fontányi, Gere A., Gere Tamás & Zsolt, Jackfall, Jammertal, Koch, Lelovits Tamás, Maczkó Róbert, Matias, Maul Zsolt, Mikeházi, Mokos, Rejiji, Riczu Tamás, Ruppert, Sauska, Streit-Zagonyi, Szemes, Teleki, Vinatus, Wassmann

Read about the top 12 Villányi Franc wines of 2025 here

Top 12 Cabernet Franc from Villány in 2025

Record number of wines were entered at the 57th Villány Regional Wine Contest. 361 wines were judged on 25 March, 257 of them are red – no wonder, Villány focuses on red wines. The Champion wine is Rejiji Wines Falcon Cuvée 2020, the most successful winery is Koch Winery with 6 grand gold, 14 gold and 15 silver medals. The best white wine is Gere Tamás & Zsolt Olaszrizling 2025.

Grand gold winner for less than 6 EUR (retail)

The white wine with the highest score is made by Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery. Zsolt Gere, the second-generation winemaker is a devoted professional, and his care and attention towards the vineyards and the wines is rewarding.
– This wine is made of 100% Olaszrizling variety.
– 26-year-old vines (on average) from Szarkás, Dobogó (Nagyharsány), Kenderföld (Kisharsány), Máriagyűd, Nagytótfalú (Siklós).
– 45 000 bottles were made.
– Alcohol: 12.5 %, acidity: 5.7 g/l, residual sugar: 1.4 g/l
Clear, pale colour, intense aroma. Crisp, lively style, citrusy, green notes blend with sweet, fruity, ripe pineapple notes. A harmonious, well-rounded wine with the almond aromas, characteristic of Olaszrizling. Light and easy to drink, with lovely acidity.
(Note that Olaszrizling is a completely different grape variety from Rhine Riesling.)
More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

In case you are interested in importing Gere Tamás & Zsolt wines, contact Zsolt Takács sales manager.

A favourite recipe from Tamás Gere in Villány

A cookery book was published in 2010 with recipes and food stories from the most famous winemakers of Hungary. 15 years passed and it is fun to look through this book, the smiling faces, the dreams they had mentioned back then. Tamás Gere was 60-year-old in the book, he spoke about his dream of his son, Zsolt taking over, and about himself, dreaming of a grandchild. Now, Zsolt is managing the winery, and the happy grandpa can spend time with his gorgeous and naughty granddaughter!

 

In the book Tamás Gere recalled his childhood, when he adored his grandmother’s sweet pastries. He also spoke about the travels in the wine regions of the world, from Chile to Portugal, where he realised how much he loved fish. As for the family gatherings, he is happy to have several women in the family, they can share the duties among themselves, and he can enjoy the festive dishes, for example plates made of their home breed chickens.
The following recipe is a Swabian pork dish, a memory of the old times, when they used to kill a pig at home and made all the meat products themselves.

35th Winemaker of the Year of Hungary

The 5 candidates this year: Zsolt Gere, (Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery, Villány), István Ipacs Szabó (Ipacs Szabó Winery, Villány, Pécs Research Centre), József Lamport (Thummerer Winery, Eger), Attila Szentpéteri (Szentpéteri Winery, Kunság), Csaba Vesztergombi (Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd). The name of the winner will be announced on the 5th of December.

 

Former award winners

2024 Zsolt Liptai, Pannonhalma
2023 Tamás Günzer, Villány
2022 Mihály Figula Jr, Balatonfüred–Csopak
2021 Beáta Nyúlné Dr. Pühra, Etyek-Buda
2020 Tamás Borbély, Badacsony
2019 Csaba Koch, Hajós-Baja
2018 Géza Balla, Arad (Romania)
2017 † Mátyás Szőke, Mátra
2016 Pál Mészáros, Szekszárd
2015 † Mihály Szöllősi, Neszmély
2014 Tamás Dúzsi, Szekszárd
2013 Éva Gálné Dignisz, Kunság
2012 Károly Áts, Tokaj
2011 Péter Vida, Szekszárd
2010 Ottó Légli, Balatonboglár
2009 Dr. György Lőrincz, Eger
2008 † János Konyári, Balatonboglár
2007 János Frittmann, Kunság
2006 Vencel Garamvári, Balatonboglár
2005 Béla Vincze, Eger
2004 Ferenc Takler, Szekszárd
2003 János Árvay, Tokaj
2002 † Ernő Malya, Etyek-Buda
2001 István Szepsy, Tokaj
2000 † Mihály Figula, Balatonfüred-Csopak
1999 Ákos Kamocsay, Ászár-Neszmély
1998 † Tibor Gál, Eger
1997 József Bock, Villány
1996 Zoltán Polgár, Villány
1995 † Vilmos Thummerer, Eger
1994 Attila Gere, Villány
1993 Ferenc Vesztergombi, Szekszárd
1992 † Tibor Báthori, Etyek-Buda
1991 Ede Tiffán, Villány

 

Gere Tamás & Zsolt and other top wineries

The annual walk-around tasting of Bordeaux blend wines takes place again in the 5-star, glamorous Corinthia Hotel Budapest. Blends of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are magnificent, just like the venue abundant in marble and velvet. Tickets are on sale now, and early bird tickets are available!

Bike tour with 6 stations

‘Gördülő Dűlők’ means something like ‘Rolling Vineyards’, it is the name of a bike tour visiting wineries, organized every year. The “harvest edition” gives the participants opportunity to get an insight of the harvest, do a bit of physical activity and obviously taste some thirst quenching wines. The meeting and starting point is Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery in the centre of Villány.

Date and time: 13 September 2025, 10.00–17.00 (Registration from 10.00 to 11.00)
Starting point and registration: Gere Tamás és Zsolt Pincészete, Villány, Diófás u. 1., Hungary
Tickets purchased online until 11 August: 11.900 HUF (approximately 30 EUR). It includes 6 wines, 5 wine bites and 1 lunch.
Tickets purchased on the spot: 13.900 HUF (approximately 35 EUR). It includes 6 wines, 5 wine bites but it does notinclude lunch.
Two bike route options:
19 km: Villány – Kisharsány – Siklós
25 km: Villány – Palkonya – Vokány – Siklós
What happens: Bikers ride individually in their own pace, if they stop at the suggested stations, they will get a glass of wine and a small bite to eat. For example, at the starting point, at Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery participants can drink a white wine or a rosé wine (or grape juice) with salami and cheese wine bites. Those, who buy their tickets in advance, can enjoy a two-course lounge at the entrance of the Castle of Siklós with a selection of RedY wines.
More information and tickets here (in Hungarian, but google can help, for buying the tickets scroll down)
More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery and Pansion

One of the 21 Best New Vintage Wines: Gere Tamás & Zsolt Olaszrizling 2024

New year, new vintage wines!

Our earlier article about a new product by Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

Let’s ‘WIBE’ with a red ale by Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

Wines and sparkling wines & music

Young, creative, passionate and make great wines – these are the Junibor member winemakers. Meet them, taste with them at Szabadság square in Budapest at this relaxed outdoor wine festival.
Scroll down to see our cover photo girls and guys!

– Date: 4–9 June 2025
– Opening hours:
Wednesday: 12.00–00.00
Thursday: 12.00–02.00
Friday: 12.00–02.00
Saturday: 12.00–02.00
Sunday: 12.00–00.00
Monday: 12.00–00.00
– Venue: Szabadság square, Budapest
– Entrance: The event is entrance free, almost: there is a festival glass obligatory for tasting, it costs 4250 HUF (approximately 11 EUR)
– Type of event: Relaxed walk-around tasting in one of the most beautiful squares of Budapest. Food will be available at street food vendors. Wines and dishes are to be paid directly to the exhibitors.
– What is special about this event? Junibor is an association of young winemakers of family wineries. Most of the Junibor members will be present, so guests can meet these cool young wine guys and girls personally. Andrea Gere from A. Gere Winery, Titi Gál, who has just been chosen Winemakers of the Winemakers, Pálma Koch, the brand new president of Junibor – they will all be there.
– More information (in Hungarian, but google can help)
– Junibor winemakers presenting their wines at the event:

Péter Frittmann (Kunság), Csaba Gál, Betty Darabont (Romania), Gergő Böjt (Eger), Ákos Kamocsay Jr. (Mór), Stefan-Wille Baumkauff (Tokaj), Ádám Várkoly, Attila Szentpéteri (Kunság), Pálma Koch (Hajós–Baja), Ferenc Bujdosó (South Balaton), Dániel Konyári (South Balaton), Bence Laposa, (Badacsony), Tamás Kovács (Balatonfüred–Csopak), Mihály Figula (Balatonfüred–Csopak)), János Bolyki (Eger), Péter Gál (Eger), Marcell Bukolyi (Eger), Titi Gál (Eger), László Babiczki (Mátra), Barnabás Cseri (Pannonhalma), Angelika Árvay (Tokaj), ifj. István Szepsy (Tokaj), Hajnalka Prácser (Tokaj), Gábor Kardos (Tokaj), Kata Zsirai (Tokaj), Zsolt Gere (Villány), Zsolt Tiffán (Villány), Gábor Kiss (Villány), Andrea Gere (Villány), Ákos Vabrik, Tamás Dúzsi (Szekszárd), András Takler (Szekszárd), Zoltán Heimann Jr (Szekszárd), Csaba Vesztergombi (Szekszárd), Csilla Sebestyén (Szekszárd), Csabi Miklós (Mór), Tamás Hernyák (Etyek), Palkó Rókusfalvy (Etyek), Előd Szijjártó (Etyek), Károly Csernus.

Wine girls and wine boys from our cover photo

Péter Frittmann (in the top left corner)

Frittmann Winery

Csaba Vesztergombi (in the middle, on the top)

Vesztergombi Cellar

Kata Zsirai (in the top right corner)

Zsirai Winery

Pálma Koch (in the middle row on the left)

Koch Winery

Results announced

Villány wine region organised the international competition of the wines made of Portugieser grape variety, with wines from 5 countries. Three Champion awards were given: Szemes Villányi Portugieser Hungary 2024 (young Portugieser), Jackfall Gesztenyés Portugieser Hungary 2022 (aged Portugieser), Christine & Harald Schachl Schlosskeller Austria 2023 (blended Portugueser). One Grand Gold was given: Gere Tamás & Zsolt Portugieser Hungary 2024.

Single vineyard champion: Jackfall Gesztenyés

Jackfall Wine Manufacture is a small family winery, and their Portugieser from Gesztenyés vineyard is legendary. Their winemaker, András Köszeli, gained experience in renowned wine regions like Tuscany, Napa Valley, and Provence, his wines feature elegance and complexity. Jackfall proves that a humble grape like Portugieser can shine in good hands. After spontaneous fermentation, the wine matured for 12 months in French oak barrels. “A medium ruby colour. Intense fruitiness on the nose, with ripe cherry, plum, rose hip, almond and sweet spices. The palate is deep and well-structured, featuring raspberry and cherry flavours, along with sour cherry and plum. Silky and soft tannins contribute to a beautiful maturity, well-integrated with subtle barrel influence, leading to a long finish.“

It costs only 4690 HUF / 11–12 EUR on the webshop of the winery

More about Jackfall

Jackfall Winery, Villány

No rush, but you can enjoy it now: Gere Tamás & Zsolt Portugieser

This family winery is famous for swimming against the current and not releasing wines early. Their wines age well, time suits Gere Tamás & Zsolt wines. Yet, this grand Gold proves that the estate can produce easy-going, lovely wines for early cunsumption as well. If you stroll below, you can see that the other Portugieser of the estate, the RedY also won gold from the same vintage. The grape for the Grand Gold winner comes from three different vineyards: Csillagvölgy, Remete and Várerdő.

“Clean, purple color. Varietal scent with some flowers but mainly cherry notes. When tasted, the floral notes only show themselves in the background. The taste is typical for Villányi Portugieser. The contrast of ripe cherries and astringent flavours (cherries) makes it playful. The sip is long enough to hold itself gracefully. Fresh and crispy. It is characterized by a creamy texture, beautiful acids and complexity.”
And it costs only 2290 HUF / 5–6 EUR on the webshop of the winery (the vintage 2024 is only on the Hungarian version of the website)

More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

Besides the above listed accolades, 12 gold medals were given:

Gáspár Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Gere Tamás & Zsolt Redy 2024 (Hungary)
Günzer Tamás Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Jackfall Gesztenyés Portugieser 2020 (Hungary)
Lelovits Tamás Villányi Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Mikeházi Portugieser 2023 (Hungary)
Szende Villányi Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Tiffán Imre és Fia Villányi Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Vinska Klet Metlika Portugalka 2024 (Slovenia)
Vylyan Macska Portugieser 2024 (Hungary)
Weingut Christine & Harald Schachl Granat 2023 (Austria)
Weingut Christine & Harald Schachl Blauer Portugieser 2024 (Austria)

Another reason to stay at Diófa pansion in Villány

The weather is getting warm, even passionate wine connoisseurs fancy a beer, there is nothing repulsive about it, is there? Gere Tamás & Zsolt winery teamed up with Hedon craft brewery and created something great and thirst quenching: a red ale with added Kékfrankos must. The beer is available from the winery webshop and certainly you can ask for it in Villány, at Diófa Pension, the guest house of the winery.

Have you ever seen wine experts after a long wine tasting? Yes, they all sooth their tasting buds with large jars of beer. No wonder, Zsolt Takács, the sales manager of Gere Tamás & Zsolt insisted on creating their own beer brand, and now, a few months after the release he is quite happy with the result. As he commented, they could have chosen the easy way and make a beer simply aged in wine barrel, but he wanted something more exciting, something more peculiar. Hedon team was partner in crime, so WIBE was born.

WIBE Grape Ale in a nutshell

– Unfiltered red ale with added Kékfrankos must
– Vintage: 2024
– Quantity: 330 ml / bottle
– Alcohol: 7.6%
– Brewery: HEDON
– Price on winery webshop: 1290 HUF (approximately 3 EUR)
– Available here (this webshop page is in Hungarian, but Google can help).
– Only 3000 bottles were made, soon it will be sold out (a few hundred bottles left), so you had better hurry!
– Why do people like it? As Zsolt Takács comments, the beer is highly popular, because even though it has a high alcohol content, it tastes mild, slightly sweetish, and the aromas of Kékfrankos can be discovered clearly.