Spring has arrived, it is time to get on a bike and enjoy the lovely vineyards. With bike you are allowed to taste some wine – of course you have to obey the rules of traffic, but now zero tolerance does not refer to cyclists (there was a time when the strict rule applied to cyclists as well, but thank God it was changed).

1, Balaton with Sabar Wine House – the longest

The largest lake in Central Europe is lake Balaton, and the bicycle route is well built around the lake, it is 210 kilometres. An ideal place to stop is Sabar Wine House (a little bit farther from the lake, but the plus kilometres are well worth), where the view is breath taking, the wines are fascinating, and the staff is welcoming. Sabar is very active in organizing events: 10–12 April Wine Hike, 16 May Wine Hike, 30 May Sabar Hill Wine Tour and the biggest one, a 3 day event full of music and wine: 3–5 July Sabar Blues. If you need more information on any of these events, write to us or to Sabar. Sabar is open all year, but as they suggest: “Please make sure to phone us or write an e-mail before you come, so we can chill the wines to the right temperature and place your chair where the most beautiful view is, by the time you arrive.”

More information about Sabar

More about cycling around lake Balaton

2, Somló with Tornai Winery – the family friendly

Somló is a volcanic mountain, and the last thing you would think of it is to ride a bike there. Indeed it is steep, but what if you ride around? Tornai Winery is passionate about cycling, therefore they have invented a bicycle route around the mountain, and visitors can rent a bike right from the winery. “A total of 10 kilometers, almost no uphill, even a child can easily go on it. During the tour you can discover Somló’s wonders and, of course, taste the wines of the best cellars.” The winery has a small, but lovely, rustic, well equipped guest house as well. Wine dinner is also available, but pre-booking is necessary: “Besides our wines we also offer special gastronomic experiences. Our wine dinners consist of fresh, seasonal dishes made from local ingredients, with the best wine pairings. Our chef represents the exclusive Hungarian cuisine, prepares delicious and varied dishes with modern technology. Our wine dinners are available for groups of at least 6 people by prior arrangement.”

More about renting bike at Tornai Winery

3, Neusiedler See with Taschner Winery – the most international

With one bike, in one route you can visit two countries, taste Hungarian Kékfrankos grape or the same Blaufrankisch in Austria. Zöldveltelini white grape in Sopron, but Grüner Veltliner in Burgenland. Neusiedler See is a beautiful lake, the majority is in Austria, and you can ride around the lake within one day, or with kids you can enjoy the ride prolonged for a whole weekend. Cycle route around Neusiedler See: 135 km, of which 38 km are on the Hungarian side. The cycle route around lake Neusiedl See is one of the most beautiful and diverse cycle routes that the region has to offer. Gentle gradients and the good surface make this a popular route for families. Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House is situated in Sopron, an ideal starting point for the route. What is more, the owner, Kurt Taschner’s brother, Tamás Taschner is a tourist guide with countless legends of the region! The winery is open every weekday (also at weekends upon appointment) and a 4 or 6 wine tasting of the diverse portfolio is available with bread and olive oil, or also with food if requested.

More about cycling around Neusiedler See

Tourist guides in Sopron

More about Taschner Winery and Sparkling Wine House

From cellar to cellar by bus

This weekend the second smallest wine region of Hungary makes it easier to explore. Friday is a kind of warming up day and Sunday is a day „after”, but Saturday will be a heavy day for those who decide to participate. You can join these bus tours for a symbolic price (2000 HUF = 6,4 euros), and you can buy tastings at the „bus stops” which happen to be wineries of the region. Babarczi Winery for example offers wine tasting of 4 or 6 wines, accompanied by slices of bread spread by goose liver pate. If you are there, do not miss their brilliant Irsai Olivér and Chardonnay. If you prefer going individually, by car, you are welcome as well, the timetable of the tastings is here (in Hungarian, if you need help, please write to us).

Archabbey for connoisseurs

The Archabbey of Pannonhalma awaits visitors well, first of all because it has its own winery producing great wines – their Rhine Rieslings are magnificent, the white blend called Hemina is an enjoyable, lovely wine for every occassion, and their red top wine, Infusio is an unforgettable one. Apart from the cellar, the abbey ha a botanic garden with a lot to see. The season of levander harvest is a top attraction, their Benedictine liquors are top quality, the frequently organized organ and jazz events attract hundreds of vititor, and on top of all the abbey has its own gourmet restaurant called Viator. For St Martin weekend Viator chef created a seasonal menu around goose and truffle, and their regular degustation menu is also worth a visit.