About the Garamvári Winery
Winery features: Offers cellar visit, Meeting space available, On a wine route, Wine shop, Open for wine tasting
Reservations: It's best to make an appointment prior to your planned visit.
Notes: Wine tasting and cellar visits are available at both, the St. Donatus Winery in Balatonlelle and the Chateau Vincent Sparkling Wine Cellar in Budafok.
The family owned and operated Garamvári Vineyard is located in Balatonlelle, on the southern shores of Lake Balaton. The winery produces a full spectrum of quality wines from light whites and rosés to sparkling wines and spicy reds. Vintner, Vencel Garamvári opened his wine business in 1990 under the name Vinarium, primarily to market Hungarian wine, both in Hungary and abroad. In 1993 he expanded his venture with a winery in Balatonlelle (St.Donatus Winery) and in 1996 with the purchase of the Palugyai sparkling wine cellar in Budafok he begun to produce sparkling wines (Chateau Vincent Sparkling Wine).
Today, the winery grows grapes on 70 hectares of land on the most fertile slopes of Lake Balaton’s southern shores. Varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The Chateau Vincent sparkling wines, ranging from extra brut to sweet, and wines from the St.Donatus Winery in Balatonlelle are gaining more and more recognition and have placed well in national and international wine competitions. The family's wine distribution business, Vinarium, remains a top wine distributor in Hungary.
In 2006 Vencel Garamvári was named ’Winemaker of the Year’ and his winery was rewarded ’Winery of the Year’ by the Hungarian Wine Academy.
Must-buy Garamvári Wines
The Garamvári Winery is known for its fresh whites, Mediterranean reds and fruity sparkling wines. Grapes are grown with strict quantity and quality control. Red wines are matured in oak barrels and their sparkling wine making technology is based on the rules of the Champagne-school. Below is a selection of the most recommended vintages.
Balatonlellei Sauvignon Blanc 2006
An elegant dry wine with floral bouquet and fruity aromas of apple and pear.
Awards:
International Wine Challenge 2008 - Bronze Medal
National Wine Challenge 2007 - Silver Medal
Délidőlő Chardonnay 2007
A Chardonnay selection from late harvested grapes. An elegant white wine, enriched with fine aromas and a mature, vanilla bouquet.
Awards:
Pannon Wine Challenge 2008 - Gold Medal
Chardonnay du Monde 2009 - Gold Medal
Sínai Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
A full-bodied deep-red wine, rich in extract content and of excellent bouquet and aroma, from the Sínai slopes. Aged in oak barrels.
Awards:
International Wine Challenge 2008 - Bronze Medal
Prestige Brut 2007
An excellent brut, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Awards:
Mun-Dus Vini 2009 - Category Winner
Chateau Vincent Blanc Fleur 2007
Made 100% from Pinot Gris, extra dry sparkling wine with fruity aromas.
Awards:
National Wine Challenge 2009 - Gold Medal
Effervescent du Monde 2009 - Bronze Medal
Chateau Vincent Evolution Rosé 2005, 2007
A dry sparkling wine with spicy-fruity aromas, based on Pinot Noir.
Awards:
National Wine Challenge 2009 - Gold Medal
Effervescent du Monde 2008 & 2009 - Silver Medal
Decanter World Wine Awards 2010 - Commended
Garamvári Wines in Restaurants
Gundel Restaurant and Lukács Café carry Chateau Vincent Sparkling Wine selections. In addition, Garamvári wines are available in several hotels and wine shops throughout Budapest.
Wine Prices
Suggested retail prices for Garamvári wines range from HUF 900 to HUF 3,000.
Garamvári Wines Abroad
Garamvári wines and sparkling wines are available in England, France, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Japan and New Zealand.
Directions and Contact Info
Getting to the winery: The winery, St. Donatus, is located in Balatonlelle at Kishegyi ut 42. Highway M7 is the best choice from Budapest. Take the exit towards Zamárdi then continue on Route 7 for about 15 minutes to Balatonlelle. The ride takes about one and a half hours.
Getting to Vinarium: Vinarium is located in Budapest's District 22 at Sörház utca 20. Take Bus 3 from Móricz Zsigmond körtér to Vágóhíd (15 stops).
Wine tasting contacts - St. Donatus Winery:
email: st.donatus@graramvariszolobirtok.hu, phone: (+36-85) 454-701
Wine tasting contacts - Vinarium & Chateau Vincent Sparkling Wine Cellar: email: vinarium@garamvariszolobirtok.hu, phone: (+36-1) 227-4060
