Introduction

Hegymente Szőlőbirtok (Domain Hegymente) is an artisanal winery that was founded in 2018 by András Kovács (former wine writer/blogger) and Kinga Tóth in Gyöngyöspata on the southern slopes of the volcanic mountain range of Mátra, North-East Hungary. We decided to devote ourselves to old Hungarian pre-phylloxera grape varieties that had been virtually extinct and revived by renowned winemaker József Szentesi. Beside these old varieties our mission is to master kékfrankos (blaufrankisch) to show its best qualities on the rich volcanic soils of Mátra. Vineyards are all newly planted in 2018 (Bódicsi, 0.3ha), in 2020-2021 (Meggyes, 0.7ha) and Gereg in 2023 (0.6ha) and Gereg again in 2025 (0.3ha). Apart from several different kékfrankos clones in varied exposures and soils, we planted old varieties csókaszőlő, laska, hajnos kék, tarcali kék and tihanyi kék. We also planted some syrah as the only international player within our portfolio. Vineyards are organically cultivated. Yields are extremely low to achieve the best possible quality and concentration. We respect terroir, soil and local climate that are expressed in our wines from vintage to vintage. Only red wines are made using classic winemaking techniques. Grapes are hand harvested, spontaneously fermented on vats using hand maceration. An old basket press is used to press. Wines are aged either in oak barrels, tanks or glass demijohns. We follow a non-interventionist way of winemaking, most of our wines are unfined and unfiltered. We use only a little sulfur and nothing else. Our first vintage is 2021.