Tóth Ferenc Winery, Síkhegy

Katalin Tóth dreamt about a place, where guest can spend hours relaxed, sitting on blankets in the grass, under the blessed shadow of the huge poplar tree, or they can participate in unique seated tastings, with sunshine and vineyards all around. “Síkhegy Picnics” have become a phenomenon, regulars would not miss any occasion. From now the magic place is available to rent for corporate events, friendly gatherings, even for weddings.

Síkhegy – the birthplace of magic

The name Síkhegy is an oxymoron itself with ‘sík’ meaning flat while ‘hegy’ meaning mountain. The vineyard is more of a plateau with brown forest soil, clay and gravel underneath. Tóth Ferenc Winery has nearly 8 hectares of Kékfrankos, Cabernet Sauvignon,Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Olaszrizling here, besides Nagy-Eged, this is the most important “cru” for the estate. It has Grand Superior classification, which means that with careful cultivation the grapes have outstanding quality to give one of the highest quality wine of the estate, and it is Várvédő Egri Bikavér Grand Superior. A unique, unparallel wine, vintage 2021 received 93 points from JamesSuckling.com
“Deep, garnet red, promising wine that leaves serious curves on the walls of the glass. The nose starts with a solid leatheriness, followed by strong roasted notes, with roasted chestnuts at the forefront.  These are followed by fruit in the form of blueberries, cherries and plums. If you wait for it to really open up, an exciting Mediterranean line emerges, with a touch of basil spiciness and a hint of dried tomato enriching the layers of aromas. As it warms up, the alcohol starts to dominate, giving the wine a liqueur-like character. On the palate, dried plums, figs, intense toasty notes, velvety tannins, lively acidity, a warming sense of alcohol. The finish is also pruney and chocolatey, with a chalky, slightly drying finish. We are not disappointed, its diversity is an imprint of the place of origin, the varieties and the ageing method, and it truly shows the greatness that is in its name.”
Can you imagine drinking this stunning wine right where it was born?
See the details here (by clicking on Síkhegy)

The 19th Winemaker of the Winemakers announced

This award is considered to be the most prestigious Hungarian award by many experts, because the winemakers themselves choose the best one. Colleagues can probably more appreciate each other’s achievement, knowing all the challenges and obstacles of this profession. The winner is Tibor Gál from Eger wine region, and he truly deserves this prize.

The process of the award

First the previous award winners nominate, thus we receive a list of 50 top winemakers. Then the voting period takes place, the 50 nominated winemakers vote for their favourite one among themselves. The 5 winemakers with the five most votes will be the finalists. The 50 then will vote again and decide who gets the “Hollywood Walk of Fame”-like star on the pavement of Zrínyi street in Budapest. The finalists were: István Balassa (Tokaj), Tibor Gál (Eger), István Ipacs Szabó (Villány), Oszkár Maurer (Fruska Gora, Serbia), Endre Szászi (Badacsony).
See the list of “immortals’ – all the 19 winners

A well-deserved prize

Tibor Gál started his career with a serious “package”: he is the oldest son of the great and famous Tibor Gál, a pioneer winemaker of Eger. Tibor Gál Senior worked in a state-owned wine company in Eger, and in 1989 after a visit and tasting, Marchese Ludovico Antinori invited him to work in Tuscany. He started as a cellar worker and did not stop until becoming chief winemaker of Ornellaia. The family returned to Hungary in 1992 and the winery was founded, but he kept working for the Super Tuscan winery. Tibor consulted many Hungarian wineries, advised on the building of several cellars, for example Pannonhalma Archabbey. He was awarded Winemaker of the Year in 1998, and in the same year he created Ornellaia’s first SuperTuscan blend, which made it to the first place of Wine Spectator Top 100 list in 2001. He also consulted for a South African winery, and this is where he tragically died in a car accident 2004.

Tibor Gál Junior lost his father and he was far too young to continue his father’s work. The family struggled with financial difficulties, and the wines were obviously not as good as earlier. But “Titi” – as he is often called – overcame the troubles and soon the signs of greatness appeared. For example, he had the brilliant idea to make a white counterpart of Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood, the famous red blend), called Egri Csillag.
He also realized that the image of Eger is quite “dusty”, not “sexy” and trendy, and he has been active to change this image with events, appearance on social media and in many other ways. And his wines are stunning. He makes complex, subtle, layered wines, no wonder he gained countless acknowledgements, like extremely high scores from James Suckling, who visited the estate himself in 2023.

“I definitely inherited one thing from my father: taking risks. The only bad decision is the mediocre. I believe in the power of astonishing. This is why I adore winemaking: I have a playground for all my ideas and thoughts and it is a way to express myself.” Tibor Gál

 

Gál Tibor Winery

The Star of Eger – the wine and the visioner

“I love this place” at Tóth Ferenc Winery in Eger

Kadarka is an indigenous grape of the Carpathian basin giving spicy, fruity, light red wine. Lovely to drink, but how can you stay in it? Tony Adamic, owner and reporter of ILoveThisPlace YouTube channel will explain it to you as well as the story of a magic day that started with water but ended with fire.

From the castle to the picnic

As we reported earlier, Tóth Ferenc Winery has opened a new accommodation facility recently called Várvédőház, something like “The Castle Defender House”. This is where the American born YouTuber woke up on a lovely August morning…

More about Tóth Ferenc Winery

Looking for new adventures

Some weeks ago, we received an email from Tony Adamic, he was unknown for us back then, but he sent a couple of YouTube links and we could immediately see that the guy was not kidding, his short movies are vivid, even mouth-watering. So, we had some video calls and shortly after Tony arrived in Budapest. He joined us in our Budapest–Eger–Tokaj study tour, and this is where he created his first video about Hungary:

 

And it seems that Tony was impressed by our country, because he made a third one:)

Find ILoveThisPlace on YouTube

Do the dirty job!

Síkhegy is a precious vineyard in Eger wine region, giving stunning Egri Bikavér wines. Harvest is the most important period in the life of a winery, therefore guests should be honoured to get insight in the procedure for one day. Work and fun, tasting grapes, must and wine. Transfer is provided.

Harvesting is not as romantic as you might imagine from the cosy chair of a wine bar. To cut the stalks for hours is hard work, at the end of the day your back aches, you are surrounded by insects who are crazy about your skin covered with sticky grape juice and the sun always shines from the wrong direction. But believe us, if you work hard, after that you will have the most enjoyable glass of wine in your life.

Harvest picnic with Tóth Ferenc Winery

Date and time: 23 September 2023, from 14.00 until sunset (or a bit longer)
Location: Síkhegy vineyard, Eger, Hungary. See map here
Program:
– 14.00 Arrival
– 16.00 Harvest games
– 17.00 Wine tasting with 5 Kékfrankos samples by Katalin Tóth
– 18.30 Spectacular fire show ‘Lobbanáspont’ fire juggler team
– Participation fee: 2800 HUF / about 7 euros (it includes a welcome glass of Egri Csillag as well)
– Participation fee for the Kékfrankos tasting: 7000 HUF / about 18 euros (above the 2800 HUF)
– Transfer is provided from Gárdonyi Géza theatre (Eger) to Síkhegy vineyard at several times: 14:30 | 15:15 | 16:00 | 16:45 | 17:30 | 18:15
– Transfer costs 1500 HUF / about 4 euros / person
– Registration is needed prior to the event. When sending your registration, mention the number of people and in case you need transfer, pick a time and write it in your emal.
– Registration: tourism@tothferencpinceszet.hu
– In case you need more information: +36 30 178 7042

More about Tóth Ferenc Winery
Read our earlier article with Tóth Ferenc Kadarka and a recipe

Gnocchi with smoked bacon and cabbage ragou & Tóth Ferenc Kadarka

The festival of the white blend of Eger kicks off the season

Eger with its medieval castle and its astonishing baroque city centre is one of the most beautiful places of Hungary. The weekend of 28 April to 1 May will serve as the the ideal time to visit, since winemakers present their latest vintage wines in the most popular, classic category in Dobó Square, the heart of the city.

Photos: Róbert Nemes

 

I must tell you, dear readers that Eger is my favourite middle size city in Hungary. I have my reasons: this is the place where I spent my college years, probably the most sensitive time of my life. I remember choosing the college: “let’s go to Eger, they have good wines” and so the decision was made and never regretted. I still adore the little cobblestone streets, the large park, the beautiful Turkish spa, the lovely walk from the student dormitory near the castle, the sleek Minaret, the restaurants, the bars, the atmosphere. So I can recommend this programme with my full heart!
If you accept my advice and participate, do not miss to taste Tóth Ferenc Egri Csillag 2021 (the estate manager, Katalin Tóth is on the right below). It is a blend of Leányka, Olaszrizling, Hárslevelű and Muscat Ottonel– 100%-of the grape varieties are from the Carpathian Basin. Base wines were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks, then fermented wines were blended and rested for a month. The winery recommends it with sea food, poultry dishes and salads. “Wine with a lemon tint. Fresh, crispy white fleshy fruit flavours and a slightly sweetish character make the wine fresh and exciting.” – Adél Bernáth-Ulcz chocolate and wine expert from CsokiLaBor.