As in the extremely successful first auction held last year, these fine wines may go under the hammer at several times the starting price. The organisers, Confrérie de Tokaj, allocates part of the proceeds to help preserve and rebuild the cultural landscape of the historic wine region, part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2002.

In addition to the Great Tokaj Wine Auction, visitors to the Tokaj Spring series of events on the weekend of the 25th to 27th April are offered a varied programme including a wine dinner, a vineyard tour led by István Szepsy, a picnic lunch with the producers and their wines on the bastion of Sárospatak Castle, and the initiation ceremony of the Confrérie de Tokaj.

The exclusive gala dinner with performance by renowned folk singer Irén Lovasz takes place on Saturday night, and on the last day buyers meet producers in their cellars.

Alongside the Tokaji Aszú wines both dry and late harvests will be offered at the auction. Most of the lots are single vineyard wines, including such rarities as Disznókő’s “Hetedik” Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos of the Zéta variety and Szepsy’s Nyúlászó ’58 Furmint.

All the wines have undergone a strict screening process. To ensure the highest quality the Confrérie established the international Wine Tasting Committee of experts: Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Ronn Wiegand, wine consultant and writer Nicolas Godebski, leading wine educator Gabriella Mészáros, and wine writer Dániel Ercsey.

Exclusively offered at the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2014, lots by: Bardon, Barta, Béres, Budaházy, Demetervin, Dereszla, Disznókő, Füleky, Gizella, Gróf Dégenfeld, Holdvölgy, Kubus, Orosz Gábor, Patricius, Samuel Tinon, Szent Benedek, Szent Tamás, Szepsy István, Tokaj-Hétszőlő, Tokaj Trading House.

At the first Great Tokaj Wine Auction, held in April 2013 in Sárospatak, thirteen fine wines were sold at a value of 67 500 €. Buyers from Hungary and elsewhere, who bid in person and by telephone, included the Michelin-star Onyx Restaurant, as well as wine shops, private collectors and groups of friends.

The aim of the Confrérie de Tokaj, which reorganised itself using the Burgundy model in May 2012, is to represent the wine region in Hungary and internationally, to contribute to its prestige through exclusive events. Most founding members are wine producers; the president is István Szepsy, the Grand Maître the untiring knight of Tokaj, Tamás Dusóczky. Members include the outstanding winemakers Samuel Tinon, who moved with his family from Bordeaux, Sarolta Bárdos and Stéphanie Berecz.

Membership of the Confrérie is open to all supporters of the Tokaj Wine Region who are recommended by an existing member; the Confrérie Council decides on membership. The initiation ceremony of new members will be held in Sárospatak Castle after the Great Tokaj Wine Auction, the main event of Tokaj Spring.

Details about the Great Tokaj Wine Auction and Tokaj Spring here: www.tokajconfrerie.hu