Artisan wines from modest domain
The essence of Cabernet Franc
An adventure started in 1992 in the historic town of Hungarian red wine: Villány, 30 km. east of Pécs and 175 km south of Lake Balaton. The first vintage was 1993, still 100% alive.
Villany
In 1992 we discovered that the Cabernet Franc grape was able to mature to great expression in the south of Hungary.
When the opportunity to acquire a few acres with then 32 year old vines presented itself, there was no hesitation.
1993 was the year of the first harvest and 25 have followed since.
Villány – Siklós
Archeological findings in the early 1980’s pointed to clear evidence of Roman viticulture in the area.
Furthermore, preparations for large scale vine planting in the 1960’s unearthed actual evidence of sporadic viticulture predating the Romans, from the Neolithic Age to the period of Celtic settlement in the Iron Age.*
Celts and Romans made wine on these hills for a reason. Volcanic soils are extremely fertile.
A sub-mediterranean climate provides hot, long summers and relatively mild winters.
3 wines
Blanc the Noirs Rosé
A remarkable white wine that happens to have a pink colour.
Rich & smooth but with a kick that provides plenty of culinary potential.
Classicus
A blend of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon carefully selected from 4 vineyards.
Am Haus (CS), Remette (CF), Sterntal (CF) en Somsitch (CF).
Quintessence
100% Villány Franc. The definition of Quintessence according to Merriam Webster:
“the essence of a thing in its purest and most concentrated form.”
Climate
A contintinental climate between the 46th and the 49th meridian, with its meridional influences.
Hot summers, challenging precipitation and very cold winters. Nature needs cold winters, yet the Villány hills provide sanctum before the winter really takes charge.
Soil Type
Once called the old Marshlands. Tectonic and volcanic substrates were formed, a long time ago. Rich in minerals while the top layers are either inactive Löss or adobe brown earth (very fertile) mixed in with the hard rocked minerals.
The vineyards have striking similarities to those in Burgundy because of the gently sloping hills, yet also with the northern Rhône thanks to the limestone subsoil (Kopar) and with Bordeaux because of the long experience with varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The winemaking process is taken care of with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Ageing on French and Hungarian oak of the very best quality.
