The Estate

There is nothing quite like living in a historical wine region and co-existing with the vines. It is our mission to make fantastic wines which are able to conjure this magical place in a sip.

 

Our vineyard is one of the oldest certified organic vineyards in the country. Spanning 24 hectares, we have plantations in the southern slopes of Mount Saint George, Szigliget, Hajagos, and Lesencetomaj.

Our philosophy is simple, just like our connection to the world surrounding us: to produce something of beauty and permanent value, while maintaining ethical farming practices. This is why we are firm believers of organic farming and sustainable development. Our mission is to tell the story of this small corner of the Earth in liquid form, and to do it with ecological approaches, the ethical use of nature, and a combination of traditional and new oenological practices.

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Stories by Endre Szászi

Family

 

Both of us are from the area: my wife is from Tapolca, and I was born in Szigliget. This region has always been close to our hearts – it’s where we used to hike, harvest grapes, and spend time together. My wife’s family even had a small press house here. For us, Szent György Hill is still magical because of the wildness and romance we fell in love with in our youth. Though it’s no longer quite the hidden gem it once was, we’re happy to share its beauty with others – even if just from afar, through a single glass of wine.

We built our family home here in 1999 and replanted the vineyard on the two hectares that came with it. A few years later, the vines started to yield fruit, and we tried to tell the story of this land the best we could – through the wines we made. Over time, our family grew, and so did the vineyard. It took both of us to make it all happen. I’m grateful my wife had the foresight to insist we build our home on the hill – she knew that by farming organically, we’d be cultivating the future for our children.

 

Grape Varieties

 

At Szászi Estate, we work with grape varieties that thrive in the unique microclimate of Szent György Hill and authentically reflect the character of the land. Our white wines are based on Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris), Kéknyelű, Rózsakő, Zeus, Zenit, Furmint, Cserszegi Fűszeres and Ottonel Muscat. For reds, we cultivate Csókaszőlő, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.

Each of our wines carries a deep respect for the hill, humility toward nature, and the belief that great wine begins with the soil.

 

Viticulture

 

From the very beginning, we have practiced organic viticulture. Fortunately, our neighbors share this philosophy, allowing us to work together to preserve the quality and vitality of the hill we call home. More and more people now understand and appreciate this approach—not as a matter of tools, but of mindset: a way of working that prioritizes balance, sustainability, and quality over quantity.

We protect our vines using gentle, nature-friendly methods. No systemic chemicals are used—our main tools are foliar feed, orange oil, and sulfur. We prune and harvest by hand, and accompany each vine from bud break all the way to the bottle.

Soil

Our vineyards grow on diverse and expressive soils that give each wine its own distinct personality. On Szent György Hill, we work with basalt-rich, clay-washed Pannon forest soil that brings elegance and minerality. In Szigliget, the rhyolitic tuff and clay-based soils from ancient geyser activity yield delicate, finely structured wines. On the Hajagos slope, basalt-strewn brown forest soil gives strength and character, while in Lesencetomaj, dolomite-based rendzina contributes fresh, crisp notes.

These soils don’t just grow grapes—they tell a story in every glass.