Northern Transdanubia

Wine Tasting in a Benedictine Abbey and Premium Pálinka on the Shores of Lake Velence

Suggested Trip Length
One to two days

When To Go
Year-round

Wining and Dining
Hungarian pálinka is experiencing a renaissance these days, with a distillery on the banks of Lake Velence at the forefront. We will head south to Lake Velence—about halfway between Budapest and Lake Balaton—to sample it for ourselves. After strolling along the shore of this shallow, reed-covered lake (Hungary’s third largest), we will visit the distillery for a tour which will introduce us to the distillation process, as well as to the important role pálinka plays in Hungarian culture. Lunch will be at the distillery’s restaurant and will include pálinka pairings with the traditional Hungarian dishes.

We will then follow the Danube’s curve to arrive in the mid-sized Ászár-Neszmély wine region, much of the which lies on slopes overlooking the Danube, with Slovakia visible on the other side. The region produces white wines like sauvignon blanc, szürkebarát (pinot gris), olaszrizling, and the native Hungarian varietals irsai olivér and cserszegi fűszeres. We will visit one of the country’s largest wineries to tour the extensive cellar and winemaking facilities. Dinner will be at the winery’s lovely restaurant (with wine pairings chosen by the winemaker), and if we are overnighting here it will be at the hotel attached to the winery.

Pannonhalma, one of the country’s smallest regions, will be the next stop. We will visit a Benedictine abbey with a state-of-the-art winery on its premises. This region grows mostly olaszrizling, but reds are increasingly being produced. We will tour the cellar, and if the weather calls for it, we will drink our wine on the terrace overlooking the fields of lavender cultivated by the monks. Touring of the abbey and its grounds is also a possibility. We will sample traditional countryside cuisine at an inn or at a home in a nearby village.

Other Options
Bathe at the local thermal bathhouse at Lake Velence. Angling at Lake Velence. Bird watching at the Lake Velence nature reserve, where 28 protected bird species hatch. Visit Esztergom and the largest cathedral in Hungary. Tour the Baroque city of Győr, where three rivers converge.

Our trips include Round-trip transportation to/from your hotel in Budapest; English-speaking food and wine-specialized guide/translator; meals at Hungary’s most authentic restaurants; wine tastings and cellar tours; meeting winemakers wherever possible.

This itinerary is a sample of what is available. We customize each itinerary individually, and venues and activities may change due to availability of third-party vendors.

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