We’ve already discussed terraces on multiple occasions: we rounded up special locations, listed amazing views, but we haven’t talked enough of the main ingredient yet, the one that turns a place into a wine terrace – namely the contents of the wine bottles. We rounded up fifteen places where the wine they pour into your glasses will make you forget all about the breathtaking view.
1/15
Jásdi Wine Cellar, Csopak
Visit this place if you haven’t heard the Jásdis' story yet, or, if you already know it, just climb the hill in Csopak for the great Welschriesling. Besides the tranquility, this place also ignites endless entertaining talks just as easily as it let’s you gaze upon the landscape in silence.
- Where to find it: on the hill of Csopak, on Arany János Street, at the former press house of Bishop Ranolder.
- What to try: the famous 2011 red that beat the winemaking regions of Eger and Villány, but the Welschriesling also shows why Jásdi was awarded with a prestigious winemaker award.
2/15
Kredenc Wine Bistro, Balatonfüred
The friendly attitude of András Dobai is famous beyond Blaha Lujza Street is Balatonfüred so it’s not surprising that it’s hard to find a spot here when the weather is suitable for spending the evening outside. If we do manage to find a seat, we should ask for a Balaton wine that’s only available here. He will have some.
- Where to find it: right in the middle of the famous Blaha Lujza Street.
- What to try: Dobai has the best wines of the nearby cellars like Dobosi and Szent Donát Manor, but you won’t be disappointed if you let the host choose either.
3/15
Pláne Badacsony
People used to drink wine on the terrace of Poharazó in Badacsony 50 years ago just the same as they do now, thanks to those who brought life to the legendary building of Ferenc Callmeyer last summer – they modernized it just enough to make it a worthy stop for a glass of Badacsony-wine.
- Where to find it: near the “Badacsony” train stop in Badacsonytomaj, opposite Kishableány.
- What to try: Budai Zöld, Bakator, or Kéknyelű – wines from native varieties that are rare now.
4/15
Homola Wine Terrace, Paloznak
This is the place in Paloznak to watch the start of the Kékszalag sailing competition while sitting on pallet furniture with a glass of wine in hand. Sometimes there’s even a DJ among the deckchairs and the parasols, and if that’s not enough, the rosés and Welschrieslings originating from the protected areas of the neighborhood are going to be your friends for life.
- Where to find it: in the upper part of Paloznak on Vincellér Street.
- What to try: give a chance to the 100% Balaton wines if you are into the airy, youthful genre, and if you’re looking for more serious items, go for the ones that have Homola in their name.
5/15
Pálffy Wine Terrace, Köveskál
The number of Mercedes-keys per capita in Köveskál, a village of barely 500 residents is suspiciously high and there’s a very real stereotype of snobbery in Köveskál, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t sit down with the Pálffy-family and discuss the state of soil around Fekete-hegy over a glass of wine. A few hours spent here make the myth of the Hungarian Mediterranean come to life.
- Where to find it: on the western edge of Köveskál, the gastro-village.
- What to try: the 2015 Káli Királyi Furmint that the Pálffys call their favorite wine.
6/15
Istvándy Winery, Káptalantóti
There’s a place hidden among the gently undulating hills halfway between Badacsonytomaj and Káptalantóti, at the side of Tóti-hegy, a place that will knock you out. Literally, as we can picnic in deck chairs and on blankets on the hillside at the cellar of Gergő Istvándy. Grazing gray cattle to the right, vineyards to the left, and the great blue in front – this is what you get here. In a few years we can also watch the ferry glide from Fonyód to Badacsony from here.
- Where to find it: on the hillside of Tóti-hegy, at Hegymög dűlő. The intersection will be on your right if you’re going from Badacsony towards Káptalantóti.
- What to try: Kéknyelű Classic or Kékderű, as the Istvándys are in their “kék” phase right now – they even have the world’s very first Kéknyelű champagne here.
7/15
Csendes Dűlő Estate, Badacsonyörs
This family winery in Badacsony quietly grew up in the past two years – today they deliver their wines to Michelin-starred restaurants. If you only want to try one Kéknyelű, this is the place to go; their wine and the view of Badacsony is a perfect match.
8/15
Szászi Cellar, Hegymagas
If you don’t know why they say that Szent György-hegy will be the next hyped area of Balaton, then sit down at the Szászi’s and have a glass of wine. The Castle of Szigliget is in front of you, you’re surrounded by the buttes with the bio-farmed vineyards below – you can’t escape tranquility here.
- Where to find it: start from the center of Hegymagas on Szigligeti Road.
- What to try: the typical Badacsony-wines that won’t disappoint – Kéknyelű, Zeus, Zenit, Rózsakő.
9/15
Kislaki, Szőlőskislak
Géza Légli is a person worth get to know for various reasons. On the one hand, this is what it feels like having a golfer uncle who, by the way, makes amazing wines. On the other hand, those who know him and visited him have to go to his terrace again at least once a year.
- Where to find: at the end of the village of Szőlőkislak.
- What to try: the Kislaki champagne from the chardonnay variety of the loess vineyards of Matacs.
10/15
Söptei Winery and Restaurant, Csopak
A shaded terrace, checkered tablecloths – the Söpteis have an innovative family kitchen and make award-winning Welschrieslings while keeping just enough of the retro Balaton-vibes. You win't find anything vintage, or any IKEA decorations here, only the menu written on a board, the shade in the alcove, the benches, and the rare wines.
- Where to find it: between Csopak and Balatonfüred. You have to leave Road 71 at Arács.
- What to try: the Welschrieslings from various vintages so that you can compare them.
11/15
Laposa Winery, Badacsony
Badacsony wineries are lucky in terms of view, but the estate of the Laposa-family stands out even among them, so it’s no surprise that the family estate consequently communicates the holy trinity of good wines, a nice view, and sunshine. Bence Laposa keeps popularizing the Badacsony region with unbroken enthusiasm, and the wines made under the watch of his sister, Zsófia, have the quality suitable for their determined plans.
- Where to find it: leaving the center of Badacsonytomaj behind, on Bogyai Lajos Street.
- What to try: such specialties as the Kéknyelű or Juhfark, but if we want to stick to familiar flavors, then the Welschriesling won’t disappoint either.
12/15
Somló Wine Shop, Somló
Éva Cartwright, the manager of Somló Wine Shop, is a native to Somló. She grew up here, she knows every winemaker, cellar, and every corner of the hill – thus, if we would like to get know the flavors of the area with the help of someone who’s familiar with them, this is the best place for it. Plus, we can see the entire winemaking region if we sit down on the terrace.
- Where to find it: at the side of Somló-hegy, towards the direction of Szent Margit Chapel.
- What to try: Somló wines, like the award-winning Tornai or Kreinbacher ones.
13/15
Folly Arboretum and Winery, Badacsonyörs
Folly is best known for its unique cedar collection, but once we are there it’s worth to do the 5-item wine tasting as well. We can walk up to the highest point of the arboretum with our wines and sip them under the hundreds of years old trees of Ábrahámhegy while admiring Lake Balaton below.
- Where to find it: on the hillside in Badacsonyörs.
- What to try: they mainly have white wines; the Pinot gris, the Budai zöld, and the Welschriesling are all good choices.
14/15
Petrányi Cellar, Csopak
If István Petrányi starts to do something, there’s a good chance he will succeed. He used to mange a Ford dealership for decades, and then he decided that he wanted to work with wines. The view is great, the wines are as good as you would expect in Csopak, and if we’re lucky, we can also chat about the market of electric cars or we can ask the landlady about the sweetness of the special pears.
- Where to find it: on Homokbánya Road in Csopak only a few meters away from Szent Donát Manor and Márga Bistro.
- What to try: you can get to know the famous Csopak Welschriesling at the Petrányis.
15/15
Zelna Borterasz, Balatonfüred
Zelna was founded three years ago by a young couple, and although their winery is still in an experimental phase, they already have a bunch of regulars. Guests from nearby hotels ride over on bus, especially since they opened their little self-designed cottage on the hillside of Balatonfüred.
- Where to find it: in Balatonfüred, just start going uphill from the center of town. It’s easily accessible from the direction of Lapostelki Road.
- What to try: their Welschriesling is definitely an item to try; also, their Pinot gris might change our minds about that variety as well.
Translated by Emma Póli
