Hungarian wine highlights: Villa Gyetvai’s new portfolio embodies the true essence of Balaton

Last Monday, the N38 Wine and Kitchen bar, nestled near Budapest’s illustrious Andrássy Avenue, hosted a well-anticipated event: the portfolio presentation of the Villa Gyetvai winery. We had the pleasure of attending it and sampling a collection of their exceptional wines, which truly exemplified the essence of Balatonfüred’s rich winemaking traditions. It was a splendid afternoon of exquisite wine, history, and artistry, perfect for anyone enthusiastic about Hungarian wine. 

The fascinating story behind the Villa Gyetvai Winery

Villa Gyetvai, based in Balatonfüred, is a small boutique winery with a captivating story. Like many wineries, its roots are intertwined with architecture. The journey began when architect Zsolt Gyetvai purchased a charming pre-World War II villa that came with a surprise—a hidden wine cellar. Originally intended to be a holiday home, the villa’s history as a winemaking site inspired Mr Gyetvai to transform it into what it is today: a thriving winery that combines architectural beauty with Hungarian wine artistry.

What started as a passionate personal project has blossomed into a full-scale winery producing a range of wines that capture the essence of the Balatonfüred-Csopak region. At the heart of this winery’s philosophy is a commitment to preserve the natural character of the grapes and showcase the unique terroir of their vineyards. Mr Gyetvai’s background as a modern residential designer shines through in his wines, which are both thoughtful and carefully crafted, capturing the character of this famous Hungarian wine region and the natural elements of the vineyards.

New Hungarian rising star

Villa Gyetvai regularly wins awards at acclaimed wine competitions such as the prestigious VinAgora International Wine Competition, where their 2021 Kékfrankos received a gold medal. While Lake Balaton is often associated with white wine, Villa Gyetvai is proving the region’s ability to produce excellent reds.

Another major achievement took place at the Winelovers Wine Awards Competition, where their 2021 Cabernet Franc clinched both a gold medal and the Best of Cabernet Franc award. These accolades reflect the winery’s success, as well as the feedback from a diverse jury of international wine experts.

Read more: Here are the 5 most magnificent historical Hungarian wine regions

Celebrating Hungarian wine

One of the most anticipated wines of their recent portfolio presentation was the 2023 Hajnóczy Olaszrizling, which proudly carries the Csopak Codex vineyard wine trademark. This vibrant white wine showcases the mineral-rich soils of the region, offering fresh flavors of green apple and citrus. The updated labels, sleek and contemporary, mirror the clean, elegant style that Villa Gyetvai aims to project.