Garden party to celebrate Chardonnay with more than 20 wineries

Four Seasons Gresham Palace luxury hotel in Budapest recommends one visit to wine enthusiasts: Etyeki Kúria. The estate is only 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Budapest, the wines are outstanding, the view is fabulous, the atmosphere is relaxed. The annual Chardonnay event is a great occasion to visit Etyeki Kúria.
See the stars of our cover photo below.

Don’t sleep, drink Chardonnay!

Etyek wine region has an ideal mesoclimate for Chardonnay variety, and the wineries are well aware of this fact. Though after the huge success of the variety there was a counter trend not to drink Chardonnay (ABC – all but Chardonnay). Etyeki Kúria however kept on having a good relationship with Chardonnay, and to express their adoration, they created an annual event dedicated to the varietal. Around the shortest night of the year (St. John’s night or Szent Iván as it is called in Hungary) Etyeki Kúria offers a walk around tasting with several invited guest wineries all presenting their Chardonnay wines. The event later turns into an amazing, relaxed party – it is really worth staying.

Date and time: 14 June 2025, 17.00–22.30
Venue: Etyeki Kúria, 2091 Etyek, Báthori utca 21., Hungary
Programme: walk around Chardonnay tasting with more than 20 exhibitors until 20.30, then FunkyChardonNite starts with a live DJ set by DR.BRS.
Guest exhibitors: wineries will bring their Chardonnay wines from every part of Hungary, just a few names: Babarczi Vineyard and Winery (Pannonhalma), Garamvári Vineyard (Balaton), Kovács Nimród Winery (Eger),  (Szekszárd), Sauska (Tokaj / Villány), Vylyan Vineyard and Winery.
Full list of exhibitors here
Tickets: 18 500 HUF / 48 euro / per person
Buy your ticket here: (in Hungarian but google can help)
Free shuttle is provided for ticket holders, but pre-registration for the shuttle is needed!
Ticket includes the programme, tasting of the wines but it does not include dishes, food products.
Wine glasses are to be rented, 2000 HUF cash is needed, which will be returned when the glass is taken back.
Attention: the event is only for guests above 18.
In case of questions, contact: event@etyekikuria.com
More about Etyeki Kúria

See the stars of our cover picture below the photos.

Babarczi Chardonnay 2023, Pannonhalma

The cooler climate Pannonhalma is one of the smallest and less widely known wine regions of Hungary, one that should be definitely watched! “This Chardonnay comes to you from one of Győrújbarát’s most primely located vineyards on Baron Hill. Its aroma and flavour show perfect freshness, oozing fruitiness with underlying signature mineral notes. A beautifully integrated bouquet of pear, apple and floral combine with a delicious acidity that explodes in your mouth. It pairs well with fish dishes, roasts or can be enjoyed on its own.”
More about Babarczi Vineyard and Winery

Etyeki Kúria MSP Konkrét Chardonnay 2023, Etyek

Sándor Mérész, the chief winemaker has a line of artisan wines with exciting labels like a natural Királyleányka, a Zenit or an orange wine. The latest member of the family is a zesty, juicy, extravagant Chardonnay. The name refers to the procedure: after careful cool pressing, the must fermented in concrete tank, matured on the fine lees for twelve months and aged for another three months after bottling. The word ‘konkrét’ is used figuratively as well, just like in English, and in Hungarian it has a use in slang meaning ‘exactly’.
More about MSP Konkrét Chardonnay

Garamvári Délidűlő Premium Chardonnay 2022, Balaton

Garamvári Vineyard is a family winery first known for their traditional method sparkling wines, but the still wines from South Balaton are equally important. They make two Chardonnay wines, the entry level is an easy drinking, lovely wine, the 2023 vintage has been selected the Best New Vintage wine at the contest of fresh released wine held annually. The premium one in the cover photo won gold medal at the latest edition of VinAgora international contest – and it costs only 3650 HUF / 9 EUR on the webshop of the winery.

More about Garamvári Vineyard

Kovács Nimród Battonage Chardonnay

Kovács Nimród Winery is situated in Eger wine region and often refers to the terroir as “The Hungarian Burgundy” due to the similar climatic conditions. Battonage Chardonnay (yes, written with double “tt”) is the favourite of many wine enthusiasts throughout the country and beyond. Aged in oak barrels for 12 months on its lees. “This iconic Chardonnay has found a welcoming home in our sunny but cool Grand Superior certified Nyilasmár and Nagyfai vineyards, located in the village of Noszvaj. To produce an elegant wine that has both fruit-forward and silky characteristics, this wine was barrel fermented and aged on its lees.”

More about Kovács Nimród Winery

Sauska Chardonnay Birs 2023, Tokaj

“What’s not to like about this nose: peaches and cream, crunchy red apple and popcorn, next to the distinctive salty minerality coming from the volcanic soils of Tokaj region. On the palate it is all about texture. Creamy mouthfeel with the perfect amount of acidity to keep it fresh and lively. Flavours of ripe nectarine, marshmallow and ripe Williams pear. Long finish with lingering and long acidity.” A Chardonnay from a legendary vineyard of Tokaj called Birs, just next to Úrágya.
More about Birs “cru” in Tokaj and Sauska

Vylyan Hërka 2023, Villány

Vylyan Vineyard and Winery proves that Chardonnay feels good in the southern Villány, certainly with careful planning of the vineyards. The fruit for Hërka comes from a plateau, from Pillangó vineyard, with ideal mesoclimate for the variety. “The nose and palate are characterised by notes of pineapple and pear, accompanied by solid barrel spices. Harmonious acids, creamy, long sip. Serious and light at the same time. Round, fresh and ethereal, like the character it is named after. In the ancient legend of Villány, Hërka is the beautiful maiden, whom the devil couldn’t resist.”

More about Hërka and other Vylyan wines

An unusual love story by Vylyan