August is the month when EVERYTHING happens. Most people go on a vacation or to the beaches in August, since it is also the warmest month of the year. Program wise the month of August is full with wine-themed programs around Lake Balaton. This will also be the case in Hévíz, where you can taste countless wines from more than 10 wineries at the Wine and Gastro Promenade!

We will consider excellent any quality of wine that can age without any addition, without mixing any substances which can altered its natural flavor. In fact, the best things are those that can be appreciated for their intrinsic characteristics

Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella, Roman writer

A Drop of Wine and a Drop of History

Wine is a drink created by alcoholic fermentation from the squeezed sweet juice of wine-growing grape clusters. People have been making wine for at least 600 years. According to the Bible, Noah planted grapes on the side of Mount Ararat and made intoxicating wine from them. According to archaeological research, the habit of growing grapes and making wine first appeared in Transcaucasia (the territory of present-day Turkey, Iran and Armenia).

In the area of the Carpathian basin, the Romans cultivated grapes even before the conquest. According to Anonymus, the chronicler, the ancestors of the Hungarians knew wine. From the end of the 3rd century, the spread of Christianity promoted the cultivation of grape varieties that produce red wine. The Hungarians cultivated grapes mainly around the castles. At the time of King Matthias, our country was one of the most famous grape-producing countries in Europe. In 1815, the first wine book in Hungarian was published, and in the 18th century, the mandatory wine production standards of communities, the rights and obligations of the owners were recorded in laws. Pure varietal plantations appeared in the Hungarian wine regions from the end of the 19th century.

You can taste the wines of several excellent wineries from 18 to 21 August at the Hévíz Wine and Gastro Promenade! We have collected some wineries to get you started:

This Year’s Winner

The guest of honor of Hévíz Wine and Gastro Promenade will be the Cézár Winery. A Savignon Blanc from 2021 was titled Wine of the City this year, which you can taste at the stand of the winery as well.

The winery has 100 hectares of vineyards and was built in 2006 in Nagyrada, not too far from Kis-Balaton. Previously, several lands were purchased in the area and several red wine grapes were planted alongside the white varieties. Until the winery was built, there were many varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sírah, Pinot Noir, Malbec Cabernet Franc. The winery belongs to the Zala wine region, and it is the largest plant in the Zala region with its 2,500 m2 land.

Their philosophy is to make the quality wines of the region known as widely as possible, so that outstanding wines can be produced in the region with high-quality technology and theoretical knowledge.

In addition to wines, other grape-related products, e.g. they also produce balsamic vinegar, cognac brandy, grape seed oils, and ground coffee.

Quality - Dedication - Future - Experience - 100% CEZAR

www.cezarpinceszet.hu

Thousand Goods from Mór

The Paulus Winery was founded in 2012, and currently has 130 hectares of growing land. Generosa, Ezerjó (Thousan Good), Welsh Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Királyleányka (Little Princess) were predominantly planted in the area. With its territory extending at the feet of the Vértes Mountains, Paulus is the largest winery in the Mór wine region. In addition to 15 varieties of white grapes, there is also the Pinot Noir grape variety that forms the basis of their Rosé wines.

In addition to mechanized harvesting, which is unique in the country, they also keep in mind the need for the work of careful hands.

Their goal is to adapt to consumer needs, which is why they offer their wines in dry, semi-dry and sweet flavors. In addition to still wines, sparkling wines and champagnes are also available in their selection.

www.paulusborhaz.hu

To Villány and Beyond

The Mokos Family Winery has been present in the life of the wine region for 3 generations. Their carefully harvested grapes can be found on the slopes of the Villány Mountains. In 2003, they started planting 15 hectares of grapes on the plantations inherited from their predecessors, which were further expanded in 2018 with 2 hectares of white grapes, further expanding the selection of varieties. Portugieser, Kékfrankos (Blaufrankisch – Blue Frankish), Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon are typical for the region, and you can also try them at their stand.

In addition to red wines, they also produce fruit wine specialties, which are made from ingredients from their own 45-hectare orchard. From strawberry to blueberries you will find a wide range of varieties.

The winery produces around 100,000 bottles of wine each year.

www.mokos.hu