Top 10 Wineries in Hungary
Hungary has 22 wine regions and a winemaking history that pre-dates most of Western Europe's. For decades after the Communist era, Hungarian wine was associated only with sweet Tokaji and the bulk Bull's Blood (Egri Bikavér) sold abroad. Since the 1990s a quiet revolution has rebuilt the regions: serious dry Furmint from Tokaj, structured Bordeaux-style blends from Villány, volcanic whites from Somló and Badacsony, and Pinot Noir from Eger. The estates below are the names to follow.
Royal Tokaji
Founded in 1990 by Hugh Johnson and others, Royal Tokaji helped restart the appellation after decades of state ownership. The Nyúlászó, Szt. Tamás, and Mézes Mály vineyard bottlings of Aszú 6-puttonyos restored the international reputation of Tokaj.
Disznókő
A first-growth Tokaj estate (one of 28 vineyards classified in 1737) owned by the AXA group. The dry Furmint and the Aszú 5- and 6-puttonyos bottlings are exceptionally consistent.
István Szepsy
The patriarch of modern dry Furmint. Szepsy redefined what Furmint could be as a dry table wine, with bottlings from individual Tokaj vineyards (Úrágya, Király, Birsalmás). The price reflects the international demand.
Heimann
A Szekszárd estate run by Zoltán Heimann. The estate has been particularly influential for Kadarka, the historical Hungarian red variety, and the Heimann Kadarka has become a benchmark for the elegant, paler style of the grape.
Heumann
A Villány estate of Swiss origin, focused on Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc, Merlot) and Syrah. The wines have a clean, international precision that has made them export favourites.
Sauska
Both Tokaj and Villány estates owned by the Sauska family. The Villány Cabernet Franc is one of Hungary's most respected reds; the Tokaj sparkling wine and dry Furmint show the breadth of the group's ambition.
Vylyan
A Villány estate known for elegant, ageable Cabernet Franc and Bordeaux blends. The Mandolás Cabernet Franc is the standard-bearer.
Somlói Apátsági Pince
Reactivated monastic estate on the volcanic cone of Somló in western Hungary. Somló's signature varieties — Juhfark, Hárslevelű, Furmint, Olaszrizling — give intense, mineral whites at low volumes; this estate is among the best.
Áron
A small estate in Eger producing serious Bikavér (the dry red appellation blend) and notable Pinot Noir. Eger has emerged in the last decade as a serious Pinot Noir region — cooler than Villány, on rhyolite and tuff soils — and Áron is one of the names to know.
Kreinbacher
A Somló estate that, alongside fine still wines from the volcano, has built one of Hungary's most respected sparkling-wine houses. The Brut Classic and the Brut Prestige Riserva are made by the traditional method and stand comparison with serious Champagne.
Visiting Hungary
Tokaj, Villány, Eger, and Lake Balaton are easily accessible from Budapest by train or car. Find every estate on the interactive map — filter to Hungary.