5 fabulous vineyard guest houses

If you love relaxing with a glass of wine in hand, staring at the green vineyards around you, the following guest houses will please you, it is guaranteed. Plus Hungarian currency is record weak, bad news for us but good news for you – travel this autumn to get benefit of your strong euros, dollars or whatever you have.

For 5 luxurious wine hotels – Hilltop (Neszmély), Gere Crocus (Villány), Lajver (Szekszárd), Barta (Tokaj), Bock (Villány) click here.

Mátra, Dominium Guest House – forests & vineyards

Hungary’s second largest wine region and the largest mountainous one is Mátra with volcanic soil, superb aromatic wines and exciting red wines (it is worth keep on eye on this yet undiscovered place:!). Dominium is a family winery with a deep respect for nature. “We do believe that the wines made in the Mátra region are world-class products, and we made it our goal to reach out through all channels and share this belief with as many people as possible.“ The guesthouse offers 8 rooms, including two superior rooms (with balcony) for 16 people altogether, which can be expanded on request.
Their “weekday recharge in Mátra” package offers 3 nights for 2 people (including breakfast and a wine tasting with 6 wines) for only 69 000 HUF (175 euros).

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Henye Guest House – dry and sweet pleasures in Tokaj

Dereszla Winery or Chateau Dereszla is one of the most important estates of Tokaj wine region, it is situated in the village of Bodrogkeresztúr. Henye Winery is a recent development of the estate with state-of-the-artmachinery and a wine bistro, plus 5 guest rooms. A sumptuous breakfast is provided, and if you stay longer, it is worth visiting Dereszla Bistro on the bank of the river Bodrog, only a short walk from Henye Guest House.  Henye Wine Bar is an ideal place for wedding – proved by several satisfied newly wed couples – and it is also perfect to taste the whole range of Dereszla wines. Do not miss the méthode traditionnelle vintage sparkling wine made of Furmint and Hárslevelű!
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Zsirai Guest House – in Mád, the pearl of Tokaj

The village of Mád is a tiny place, however the “density” of cult wineries is quite high. Szepsy, the icon is here, just to mention one. Zsirai is a family winery led by two sisters– and usually we add that “after their father’s tragic death”. But probably it is time to omit this part, because these girls have proved their merits, by now they are far more than being the “B option”, since they have learnt every aspect of managing a quite large company (they have vineyards in Villány and Somló wine regions as well). The Zsirai family offers one of the tiniest guest house with only 3 bedrooms for maximum 9 people. The atmosphere is unparralel. It is a must to book a winery visit with tasting, you will have the chance to taste single vineyart dry Furmint wines (see the cover photo above with ‘Középhegy’ Furmint) and rarities like “Fordítás”, an ancient Tokaj style wine, which is hard to find elsewhere.

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Villa Sandahl – Riesling on the volcanic Badacsony soil

Just like the above Zsirai Winery, Villa Sandahl is also owned by siblings. The Swedish Sandahls fell in love with the stunning estate on the north side of Lake Balaton, and decided to plant nothing else but Rhine Riesling. It might sound crazy, but they achieved perfection, plus they are able to maintain this perfection. “Sandahl Rezidencia” is a 4-room guest house, which is located in the central building of the Sandahl Promo house in the “Genesis” vineyard.Surrounded by a fabulous and peaceful environment, visitors are guaranteed to be recharged. The house offers the most beautiful panorama of Badacsony, one of the most picturesque slices of the Lake Balaton landscape. The rooms and furniture are of typical Scandinavia design, appreciated in whole Europe.
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And even more here

Borbély Family Winery – with the king of the “other” Riesling

While the above described Villa Sandahl focuses on Rhine Riesling, Borbély Family Winery on the same volcanic Badacsony mountain puts most of their effort into Olaszrizling (aka Welschriesling), the most important white grape of Lake Balaton, a truly Carpathian Basin indigenious variety. We even dubbed Tamás Borbély (who happens to be the youngest Winemaker of the Year in Hungary) as “Mr Olaszrizling”.
The Guest House (accommodating up to 10 people) is suitable for winter as well and the rustic cellar tasting room can seat groups of up to 60 people all year long. But there is no need to fear of industrial like hospitality: it is still Gabriella, the wife of the founder, mother of the star winemaker, who prepares home made, delicious dishesfor the guests!  For a tasting in the spacious tasting room fresh salty bakery, home made cold cut and sausage platter, artisan cheese is offered, and hot meal can also be ordered upon advance request.

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