Saturday October 1, 2011
Join us to explore the wines of Villány, Hungary’s southernmost wine region. Known as the “Mediterranean of Hungary,” Villány produces Bordeaux-style reds, and its villages feature picturesque cellar row is lined with whitewashed Swabian cellars. Here we will taste Portuguiesers (the region’s signature grape), Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Cabernet Francs (another specialty of the region). Though they are less known for their whites, Villány’s winemakers also make Chardonnays and Hárslevelűs, which we will sample. This tour will focus on a few of Villány’s smaller wineries, all located in different villages. Lunch will be a homemade country-style feast at a winery. Come get to know the premium reds of Villány with us!
{8am} Depart from Budapest. We will meet at Batthyány tér and depart promptly.
{11am} Arrive in Siklós, a section of the Villány region which is known for its white wines, for a tour and tasting of six wines at the Heumann Winery. Evelyne and Erhard Heumann, a Swiss couple, began making wine in Villány as a hobby, but their small winery has grown into one of Villány’s finest.
{1pm} Tour, tasting, and lunch at the Hárságy Winery in Palkonya. One of the prettiest villages in the region, Palkonya has several rows of old whitewashed cellars, in one of which Hárságy is located. Hárságyi’s owner (who moved to the village from Budapest) is a former town mayor and makes rich wines from just two hectares of vineyards. Lunch will be prepared by the winemaker: Roasted beef with red wine and mushroom sauce (porcini and chanterelle) served with mashed potatoes and a salad. Dessert will be homemade strudel.
—Walk around the cellar row in Palkonya.
—Drive to Villánykövesd to take a look at the traditional rows of whitewashed cellars.
{4:30pm} Arrive in Kisjakabfalva for a tour and tasting at the Jackfall Winery. The winery takes its name from the village where it is located: Jackfall is the German name for Kisjakabfalva. Founded in 2001 by the editor of a Hungarian wine magazine, the winery works on 13 hectares. A cold plate of local products will be served with the wines.
{9:30} Arrive back in Budapest, drop-off at Batthyány tér.
Price: 30,000 HUF per person, all-inclusive of transportation and the above wine tastings and food. Call or email to reserve your place (a 25 percent deposit payable via paypal or bank transfer will be required). Itinerary is subject to change.