Cseri Winery, Pannonhalma

A relatively new winery from the must-watch Pannonhalma wine region. The whole family is involved in the winery, father and son in the winemaking, while the women play active role in the many events they organise on the premises. The estate plays a strong emphasis on Riesling wines, they have a whole series with 9 different wines! Their Septimus Riesling 2019 was selected the Best Hungarian White Wine in 2023 by the Hungarian Circle of Wine Writers. They are capable of less serious and more playful wines as well, the aerated Blabla is a good example – with a funny origin of the name.
More about Cseri Winery

Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd

“Wines of Szekszárd are yummie!” – says Csaba Vesztergombi, but his and his fathers’ wines are much more than yummie. When they enter a wine contest, they return home with a pile of gold medals, and quite likely they will be the second winery to win “The Winemaker of the Year” twice. Ferenc Vesztergombi won the prestigious title in 1993, and his son, Csaba has already been nominated 4 times (the winner is to be announced in December). The wine Csaba 2022 (Bordeaux blend) in the photo won gold medal at the latest edition of Winelovers Wine Awards, it is included in the Top 100 Hungarian wines. Vesztergombi Vintage, which will be featured in the masterclass in Warsaw, is a blend of Cab. Sauvignon, Franc, Merlot, Shiraz and Kékfrankos. We wrote about the story of Turul, another WWA gold winner here.
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Zsirai Winery, Tokaj

The winery has vineyard in Somló and Villány as well, but the headquarter is in Mád, in the most precious village of Tokaj wine region. The estate is run by Petra and Kata Zsirai, the sisters inherited the company at a young age, but they manage, what is more, Zsirai has become one of the most established names of Mád. Their wines are available in several countries – for example in Canada, in the United Kingdom, in Switzerland and obviously in Poland. The cover photo features the single vineyard Zsirai Furmint Nyulászó 2021, which was described by Tamlyn Currin (JancsRobinson.com) with these words: “Floral on the nose. Definitely some sweetness – like a very sweet clementine. Deliciously sweet! Clementines. Passion fruit! Silk and tweed. Playful. Wonderful ripe citrus; mouth-watering and really, really long. Oranges on a finish that flares out, flushed with juice and fragrance.” The Warsaw masterclass will introuduce another single single vineyard from Középhegy vineyard – another stunning and unique example of the Furmint variety.
More about Zsirai Winery

The 12 wines of the masterclass at WWE

Speaker: Tomasz Prange-Barczyński wine expert, Ferment magazine:
Date and time: 22 November, 12.00
Tickets: 50 PLN, get your ticket here

1. Sauska Rose Brut, Tokaj
2. Sipos Kéknyelű, Badacsony
3. Zsirai Középhegy Furmint, Tokaj
4. Tornai Grófi Hárslevelű, Somló
5. Fehérvári Juhfark Grand Reserve, Somló
6. Jakab Pinot Noir High, Badacsony
7. Steigler Fusion Vörös Cuvée BIO, Sopron
8. Vesztergombi Vintage, Szekszárd
9. St. Andrea Merengő Bikaver Superior, Eger
10. A.Gere Kopar Cuvee, Villány
11. Heumann La Trinita Cabernet Franc, Villány
12. Füleky Tokaji Aszu 6 puttonyos, Tokaj

Polish importers 2Bratanki, Kociolek i Vino and WinaWulkaniczne have joined forces and will be presenting the widest selection of Hungarian wines to date at the Warsaw Wine Experience.

The 7 participating wineries from our earlier article

The friendship goes on!

The list of Hungarian wineries exhibiting at WWE!

A.Gere, Villány
“A nagy bajuszú Jász Laci pincéje”, Somló
“a szemüveges srác”, Somló
Babits, Tokaj
Barcza, Somló
Bogdán, Somló
Château Rúbaň, Slovakia (of Hungarian nationality)
Cseri, Pannonhalma
Etyeki Kúria, Etyek
Fehérvári, Somló
Fekete, Somló
Füleky, Tokaj
Gallay, Bükk
Genius, Villány
Harmónia, Tokaj
Heumann, Villány
Jakab, Badacsony
Juhász, Eger
Kancellár, Somló
Kolonics, Somló
Laposa, Badacsony
Mundi Gábor, Somló
Petrény, Eger
Sauska, Tokaj / Villány
Sipos, Badacsony
Somló Kincse, Somló
Somlói Vándor, Somló
Spiegelberg, Somló
St. Andrea, Eger
Steigler, Sopron
Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Tokaj
Tornai, Somló
Tóthborbirtok, Pannonhalma
Tóth Ferenc, Eger
Varsányi, Eger
Vesztergombi, Szekszárd
Vida, Szekszárd
Villa Völgy, Eger
Zsirai, Tokaj

Grand gold and gold for Sauska

Statistics: As we wrote above, all the 10 Hungarian grand gold winners are noble sweet wines from Tokaj.
One of them is Sauska Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2017, what is more, Sauska won two more gold medals, one for Sauska Brut traditional method sparkling wine, and one for Sauska Cuvée 7 from the Villány estate. The grand gold winner 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú is made of 100% Furmint, and it has 208 g/L residual sugar, balanced by 7.9 g/L acidity.
More about Sauska

“Quadriplets” by Vesztergombi

Statistics: Altogether 7 Hungarian rose wines won gold medals at this session of the Trophy.
If Csaba Vesztergombi wins gold medals, he usually wins 4 gold medals, as if it was the minimum. It was the case at the 2025 winter tasting of Berliner Wine Trophy, when Vesztergombi Cellar from Szekszárd was the Most Successful Hungarian Winery of the Trophy. This year the gold winner team is: Turul 2021 (Merlot and Cabernet Franc red blend), Csaba 2022 (Merlot), Rose 2025 (Kadarka and Kékfrankos rose blend) and Kerékhegy Shiraz 2022. The novelty is probably the gold medal for the rose, made of indigenous grapes, and it costs only 1890 HUF (approximately 5 EUR).
More about Vesztergombi

The name Teleki shines again

Statistics: 36 of the 78 Hungarian gold winner wines are red.
The name Teleki can be familiar for anyone in the wine trade, since Zsigmond Teleki was a renowned viticulturist all over Europe, one of the most efficient fighters against phylloxera. The winery following his path in Villány collects several medals when they enter, this time the inventory is 4 gold medals, 3 red wines and 1 sparkling: Kővilla Cuvée 2020 (Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc red blend), Teleki Tradíció Super Premium Villányi Franc 2020 (Cabernet Franc), Teleki Tradíció Vesper 2024 (Syrah, Merlot, Kékfrankos red blend), Teleki Tradíció Chardonnay Brut 2022 (bottle fermented sparkling wine).
More about Teleki wines

Tóth Ferenc Egri Csillag – a wine worth waiting

Statistics: 35 of the Hungarian gold winners are white wines.
Tóth Ferenc Winery from Eger has collected 2 gold medals at this Trophy, one of them is Tóth Ferenc Egri Csillag Superior 2025 white blend, while the other is a a red blend, Tóth Ferenc Egri Kékfrankos Grand Superior Nagy-Eged-dűlő 2024. As the team of the winery shared, the Egri Csillag Superior 2025 white blend has just been bottled, but not released yet, they prefer to let it age in the bottle for a year more. But they revealed that in vintage, 2025 the Hárslevelű was well ripened, even shrivelled, thus the wine is thicker, full bodied, complex, layered and elegant. Maybe it is worth buying “en primeur”!
More about Tóth Ferenc Winery

A Lidl sparkling by Garamvári – great value gold

Statistics: 7 of the gold winner Hungarian wines are sparkling wines.
Pannon Imperial Sekt Extra Dry is a bottle fermented sparkling wine made by Garamvári Vineyard, exclusively for Lidl supermarkets. The wine is available in Hungary and through Lidl in many other countries, quite likely in Germany as well. Therefore, it is good to know that this 100% Chardonnay sparkling from the south shore of Balaton is a good value sparkling wine for only 2599 HUF (approximately 7 EUR) in the Hungarian Lidl stores.

More about Garamvári Vineyard

Borbély Karós Olasz rizling Limited Selection, 2021, Badacsony

This wine has reached the position of the 5th best white wine at the contest (since 505 wines entered the contest, this is quite a thing!). The estate is specialised in Olaszrizling (they use an archaic spelling written separately), they have several wines made of the variety. Karós is a single vineyard wine from a small, half hectare vineyard on Gulács mountain. Old plantation with vines from the 1960s, thus the roots go extra deep resulting complex and mineral wines, the training system is also old, goblet. The wine was fermented in 500 litre new oak and aged on fine lees for about 6 months. Concentrated wine with characteristics of the variety, subtle oak spices and deep reflection of the terroir.

More about Borbély Family Winery
If you are interested in importing, contact Tamás Borbély

Babarczi Aeternum 2022, Pannonhalma

The family winery has collected two gold medals, one for the red Aeternum and one for Babarczi Sauvignon Blanc 2025. The white wines have long been the favourites of many wine connoisseurs, but the Babarczi estate has also been making serious red for a while.
“This premium wine is about perseverance. About values that do not fade, do not go out of fashion, and are not made for the moment. Just as family ties are not for a short period of time, Aeternum also requires time and gives time. Attention, patience, presence. A wine that stays with us. In aeternum.” Aeternum is a Bordeaux blend aged in French oak for 12 months.
More about the winery

Feind & Feind Balaton Rosé, 2025, Balatonfüred–Csopak

This rosé is actually the best rosé after the special award winner Babiczki wine, so it received the second highest score out of the 100 entered rose wines. Balaton Rose 2025 is a Blend of Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Feind & Feind has won another gold for their Merlot 2021, and a silver for the aerated sparkling Bollicine Rose 2025, this latter one is in the photo. The winery has all the most modern equipment to produce sparkling wine from the aerated wines through charmat method to the traditional method. “A light pink, gently sparkling wine with aromas of fresh red berries, lively acidity, and a crisp, fruity finish.” And Bollicine costs only 1899 HUF at the winery webshop! (Around 5.5 EUR.)

More about the winery

Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery Rajnai Rizling 2024, Pannonhalma

This Rhine Riesling wine received the 8th most points among white wines, thus obviously gold. Earlier the same wine received gold at VinAgora wine contest. The Archabbey won two more gold medals: Prior 2024 is another Rhine Riesling of the winery, it won Vince Magazine panel tasting earlier this year, and this wine is also featured in the cover photo. The third gold winner is Infusio 2023, the flagship red blend of the winery. Though it is not much of a piece of news, Infusio always wins, undoubtedly one of the best red wines of Hungary. Funny enough, the Rhine Riesling with the highest score is the cheaper one for only 4550 HUF! (Around 13 EUR.)

More about the winery

Vesztergombi St László Bikavér, 2021, Szekszárd

Csaba Szekszárdi, the founder Ferenc Vesztergombi’s son has his nameday today – happy nameday Csaba! The winery must have a separate cellar for the gold medals: whenever they enter a contest, gold medal is guaranteed. This Bikavér is actually the best Bikavér of the National Wine Contest, it received the highest score among the entered Bikavér wines. St László Bikavér 2021 is made of Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. After fermentation in stainless steel tank, ageing took place in wood for 24 months.

More about the winery

– Gere Tamás & Zsolt Páratlan 2024, Villány – gold medal

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Kékfrankos, Merlot and Portugieser for only 2990 HUF / around 8.3 EUR! ‘Páratlan’ means ‘Unparallel’, and it is, indeed with notes of rose hip, sweet spices and much more.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Gere Tamás & Zsolt Winery

– Jackfall Grand 2018, Villány – gold medal

The flagship wine of this artisan winery made of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Decanting is advised! Jackfall won 3 gold medals altogether at VinAgora.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Jackfall Winery

– Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery Rajnai Rizling 2024, Pannonhalma

The title of the Best Rhine Riesling in Hungary (Vince wine magazine panel tasting 2026 March) went to this estate, to a wine called Prior.  Well, it seems that the entry level Rhine Riesling of the winery is stunning as well–at a more approachable price! Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery has won 3 gold medals altogether at VinAgora.
VinAgora fact sheet
More about Pannonhalma Archabbey Winery

Teleki Tradíció Malbec 2023, Villány – grand gold

Obviously, Malbec is not a usual variety in Hungary, only a few wineries grow it. Csányi Winery tries to adapt to the climatic changes, and Malbec proves to be a good solution even in Villány, the southernmost wine region of Hungary. The grand gold medal is a huge acknowledgement, and keep in mind that this super premium wine costs only about 24 EUR in retail. “A lush, Mediterranean-style aroma, with notes of sun-dried forest fruits, and piquant oriental spices. Full-bodied, richly textured, harmonious wine, with vitality and appealing fruitiness.” Another accolade: Teleki Kővilla Syrah 2024 received gold medal.
More about Teleki Wines

Vesztergombi Cellar, Szekszárd – 4 gold and 1 silver medal

Vesztergombi winery was the most successful winery of the previous edition of Berliner Wine Trophy winter tasting, and probably he is the most successful again (we are still counting). So, Ferenc and Csaba Vesztergombi are “regular winners”, but this is the first time that they win gold medal with a white wine. Szekszárd is more focused on red and rosé wines, thus this acknowledgement has special importance. Királylány, the white wine is the blend of Cserszegi Fűszeres and Királyleányka, and the retail price is around 5000 HUF! More about the grape varieties here. And the winners are:
Vesztergombi Királylány 2025 – gold
Vesztergombi Vintage 2021 – gold
Vesztergombi Kerékhegy Shiraz 2022 – gold
Vesztergombi Porkolábvölgy Kékfrankos 2022 – gold
Vesztergombi Csaba 2022 – silver

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Thummerer Winery, Eger – 4 gold medals

József Lamport head winemaker is the latest Winemaker of the Year, a well-deserved title, as it is proved again at the winter edition of Berliner Wine Trophy. (The founder, Vilmos Thummerer was chosen Winemaker of the Year in 1995.) The winery celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and these medals fit well on the birthday cake. The Bikavér wines and the Chardonnay are obvious, but Rébus may need some explanation. Rébus is a superior wine of the estate from two precious vineyards (Noszvaj Tekenőhát and Szomolya Nagyvölgy). Selected fruit, a blend of Merlot, Syrah és Cabernet Sauvignon, long barrel ageing. The result is a complex, soft textured, full bodied, yet elegant wine with long finish. It is only around 17 EUR in retail! And the winners are:
Thummerer Egri Bikavér Classicus 2022
Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior 2022
Rébus Egri Cuvée Superior 2021
Thummerer Chardonnay Batonnage 2024

More about Thummerer Winery

The Best White: Heimann Viognier 2023, Szekszárd

Viognier was first planted by late Tibor Gál in Eger, whose son with the same name continues running the estate (he makes three white wines using Viognier). There are 14.45 hectares under Viognier in Hungary, with 13.28 growing in 2025 (source: HNT).
Zoltán Heimann Jr about Viognier:
“The Viognier was planted in the Bati-kereszt vineyard by my parents. Since the region lacks a distinctive white variety, Viognier has become a Heimann specialty. It offers honeyed sweetness with aromas of white flowers and white-fleshed fruits. The 2023 vintage holds a special place in our hearts as it is our first organic Viognier. This is our only white wine.”
Borsmenta description:
” The grape was harvested by hand, soaked on the skin for 2-3 hours, then pressed and fermented in stainless steel tank at low temperature. Half of the wine matured in large, 5 HL cask for 6 months on the fine lees. The result is an elegant white wine with a full body and aromas of autumn fruits, apricots, and basil.”
More about Heimann Family Estate

The Best Red: Vesztergombi Malbec, Szekszárd

For some unknown reason Malbec variety is missing from the statistics of HNT. We have sent a question, as soon as we get answer, we will update this article. For sure there are producers growing the variety both in Villány and Szekszárd wine regions.
Csaba Vesztergombi about Malbec variety:
“In 2015, we planted half a hectare on the fabulous Kerékhegy. We used the first harvest to feed the deer, so unfortunately there was none left for winemaking. In 2018, we managed to preserve the grapes, but it was the harvest that made the vintage special, as my seventh-grade daughter and the entire 7B class did the work.”
Borsmenta description:
“The grapes were harvested in the Kerékhegy vineyard in Szekszárd, at an altitude of 260-290 meters above sea level, where the loess soil is rich in red clay and limestone. This is a Mediterranean-style wine that has been aged for a year in 300- and 500-liter oak barrels. Its aroma is characterized by raspberry and plum fruitiness, complemented by dark chocolate bitterness, cinnamon, clove spiciness, and a hint of smokiness. A soft, rich, and round Malbec that is very easy to enjoy.”

More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Best of Country wines

Austria: Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk (Burgenland) 2022
Croatia: Agapito Borgonja Rožoljo (Istria) 2019
Serbia: Vinčić Molovin Inat (Fruška Gora) 2020 Vinčić
Slovenia: Pinterič  Modra Frankinja (Bizeljsko) 2022
Hungary and Slovakia Best of above, at the Grand Gold winners

Gold medal winners

• Pinterič Modra Frankinja 2022 (SLO)
• Riczu Kékfrankos (Villány) 2022 (HUN) 
• Etyeki Kúria Borászat Kékfrankos (Sopron) 2020 (HUN) 
• Agapito Rožljo Borgonja 2019 (CRO)
• Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2017 (HUN)
• Vina Jelenič Modra Frankinja Excellent 2017 (SLO)
• Eszterbauer „Telihold” Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2023 (HUN)   
• Varsányi Kékfrankos Superior Grand Selection (Eger) 2019 (HUN) 
• Enosophia Miraz frankovka 2019 (CRO)
• Jackfall Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)   
• Kollwentz Ried Point 2022 (AUT)
• Enosophia Lingua Franka 2020 (CRO)
• Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)   
• Heimann Szivem Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2021 (HUN)  
• Molovin (Vinčić) Franovka Inat 2020 (SRB)
• Damjanić Borgonja 2023 (CRO)
• Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2019 (HUN)  
• Papak Frankovka 2018 (CRO)
• Ernst Triebaumer Ried Gemark 2022 (AUT)
• Vina Belje Frankovka Premium 2022 (CRO)
• Prus Modra Frankinja Barrique 2016 (SLO)
• Koch Kirschner Kékfrankos (Dunántúl) 2022 (HUN)   
• Szemes Dél Kékfrankos Kopár-dűlő (Villány) 2021 (HUN) 
• Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk 2022 (AUT)
• Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)  
• Esterhazy Blaufrankisch 2023 (AUT)
• Káli Kövek Kékfrankos (Balaton) 2023 (HUN)   
• Schieber Görögszó Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)   
• Vylyan Kékfrankos (Villány) 2023 (HUN)
• Fyrmonia Kekfrankos – Frankovka Modra 2021 (SVK)
• Schieber Trilógia Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN) 
• Nittnaus Jungenberg 2021 2021 (AUT)
• Trs Blaufrankisch 2020 (CRO)
• Ernst Triebaumer Ried Oberer Wald 2022 (AUT)
• Tűzkő Birtok Kékfrankos (Pannon) 2022 (HUN) 
• Klet Krško Turn – Modra Frankinja Premium 2021 (SLO)

How Super 12 lists are created

The list of twice 12 is drawn up every year by the members of the Circle in several rounds, at the initiative of Dr. József Kosárka, according to his method. First, each member names 3-3 memorable white and red wines from that year, and then the members vote in the next round, but no one can vote for their own nominees in this round. Once the shortlist has been narrowed down, the wine writers vote again, with no further restrictions, and vote until the scores are tallied to produce two lists of 12.
The top-listed wines are judged by the experts at a blind tasting, which took place on 19 December 2025 at Champion Wine Bar in Budapest. The two wines with the highest scores will receive the Hungarian Wine Grand Prix.

More about the Hungarian Circle of Winewriters

The two Grand Prix winners:

– Földi Bálint Kéknyelű 2024, Badacsony
– Zelna Peregrina 2021, Balatonfüred–Csopak

Super 12 white wines (in alphabetical order)

– Balassa Szent Tamás Furmint 2021, Tokaj
– Csetvei Raw/Ka Amfora Ezerjó 2024, Mór
– Dobosi Birtok Baricska Olaszrizling 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Egersoul Egri Olaszrizling Nagy-határ dűlő Grand Superior 2023, Eger
– Éliás Fent a hegyen Olaszrizling 2023, Badacsony
– Figula 30 2023, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Figula Sóskút Olaszrizling 2024, Balatonfüred–Csopak
– Földi Bálint Kéknyelű 2024, Badacsony
– Györgykovács Nagy-Somlói Olaszrizling 2023, Somló
– Szászi Szent György-hegyi Rókaluki Olaszrizling 2023, Badacsony
– Tornai Prémium Hárslevelű 2021, Somló
– VáliBor Tabula Rasa Rajnai Rizling 2023, Badacsony

Super 12 red wines (in alphabetical order)

Actually there are 13 wines this year, because Gábor Kiss, the producer of one of the nominated wines died tragically and obviously we could not ask him for his wine to taste, therefore we asked for a substitute, yet we kept him on the list to express our respect and grief.

– A. Gere Kopar 2021, Villány
– Bock Grand True 2022, Villány
– Bukolyi Kékfrankos Nagy-Eged Grand Superior Reserve 2021, Eger
– Ipacs Szabó Ég és Föld között Villányi Franc Super Premium 2022, Villány
– Jackfall Merlot 2020, Villány
– Kiss Gábor Enigma 2022, Villány
– Mészáros Grandiózus Malbec 2022, Szekszárd
– Németh János Kadarka Válogatás 2023, Szekszárd
– St. Andrea Hangács 2022, Eger
– St. Andrea Nagy-Eged Egri Bikavér Grand Superior 2021, Eger
– Szentesi Tihanyi Kék 2023, Etyek–Buda
– Thummerer Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Mezey-Öreg dűlő 2021, Eger
– Zelna Peregrina 2021, Balatonfüred–Csopak