The Tokaj-Hétszőlő Estate’s unique and first class vineyards are situated on the southern slopes of Mount Tokaj. In 1502, the Garai family assembled seven parcels of land which became the Hétszőlő single vineyard. The estate has 55 hectares where a special micro-climate, the unique loess soil, the autochthon grape varieties and the “noble rot” give the Hétszőlő wines exceptional harmony, unique complexity and very high quality.

Organic Aproach At Tokaj-Hétszőlő Wine Estate

From the beginning, Hétszőlő has had a very good background for organic viticulture and always has tried to be conscious about environmental issues. As there was no viticulture at the slopes of Hétszőlő for many years - in fact in the era of massive agrochemical use of Soviet regime - it was nearly a must to figure out a more environmental friendly way of culture at the time of replantation at Hétszőlő vineyards in 1991.

According to this, Hétszőlő has never used artificial fertilizer and herbicides and there has been no insecticide used for more than 10 years. To make organic culture more official, Hétszőlő began the conversion process for organic certification in 2009 with the label of Hungária Ökogarancia, an official organic certifier in Hungary.

Today all the vineyards of the estate are cultivated strictly in an organic way, 2/3 of the total 55 hectares are certified, the rest is in conversion. The whole vintage of 2016 will be certified organic. The first attempt for organic wine was in vintage 2014 where a dry Furmint was vinified according to organic wine making rules.

Main points of organic viticulture:

• Limited chemical use by using minuscule amounts of copper and sulfur
• Instead of systemic chemicals we use more natural products like cumin seed oil, orange oil, baking powder and other natural substances
• No artificial fertilizer , no herbicides
• Natural pest management by using predatory insects
• Soil management with compost and diverse cover crops
• Strict canopy work and management
• Ecological islands next to vine parcels to increase biodiversity
• As natural wine making as possible based on traditional wine making methods

Wines of Tokaj-Hétszőlő Winery:

Bistro by Hétszőlő

The BISTRO line is Hétszőlő’s answer to the growing demand of wine enthusiasts for well crafted, fresh and ready-to-drink single varietal wines from Tokaj. Aged on fine lees with periodical batonnage, they are best described by their purity as they beautifully reflect the natural approach of Hétszőlő to grape-growing and winemaking. Fresh, crispy, perfumed, their style is very true to its name: one glass invites you to a second and third one easily.
Nr. 7 on the label is a tribute to the foundation of Tokaj-Hétszőlő in 1502 when the seven greatest parcels of the mount of Tokaj have been united into a single estate.

2014 VINTAGE - This vintage was difficult in Tokaj Wine Region because of the rain. We had too much humidity and some big rain storms. However, thanks partly to our organic approach in our vineyards, vines were resistant and healthy enough to give well matured grapes for dry wines and a bit of aszú too. These wines have excellent acidity which will help to age them and enjoy them for longer.

Bistro Furmint Dry -  2014

The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for 7 month. During aging we used batonnage weekly.
It has nice fruit notes in nose which comes along with some nice minerality too. On palate we get the same fruitiness, minerality and excellent freshness thanks to its high but elegant acidity. A crispy, easy-to-enjoy wine that goes well with salads, chicken, fish, shellfishes, and lighter pasta food.

2013 VINTAGE - After a long not too cold winter, the spring rather wet with not too much sunshine. However we had a nice, long summer and could pick the grapes for dry and late harvest quite early, in September. 2013 is a generally good year for dry, late harvested and aszú wines too. Nice maturation and by choosing the right time to harvest we saved the refreshing acidity in our wines.

Bistro Muscat 2013  - Charming nose which has elegant notes like white blossom, elder-flower and some tropical fruits. We get the same aromas on palate too which are accompanied with refreshing acidity and some nice minerality. The tiny residual sugar content just makes this wine even more fruity and charming. Marry with fruit salad, or light fish dishes where you have some citrus in the sauce.

Hétszőlő Tokaji Hárslevelű Late Harvest 2013

Hárslevelű is an old, autochthon grape variety of Tokaj-hegyalja. It is the second most important grape variety in the region. Generally it has elegant flowery nose with linden honey note. Hárslevelű has nicely balanced body with good minerality and fruity notes. This wine comes from the Tokaj-Hétszőlő Imperial Estate which derives from the Hétszőlő Single Vineyard from 1502 when 7 parcels of land based on loess soil were assembled.

“We do believe that with organic approach we can protect the vitality of the vines and so have better quality now and in the future. In order to be able to communicate this philosophy we only use our own grapes to create the Hétszőlő wines.” (Gergely Makai, technical director)

Vintage  - After a long not too cold winter, the spring rather wet with not too much sunshine.  However we had a nice, long summer and could pick the grapes for dry and late harvest  quite early, in September. 2013 is a generally good year for dry, late harvested  and aszú wines too. Nice maturation and by choosing the right time to harvest we saved  the refreshing acidity in our wines.

Tasting notes  - In its nose we can find citrus, elderflower, linden blossom and fresh tropical fruit notes. We enjoy the same fruits and on palate too along with some elegant minerality and acidity. The residual sugar and the refreshing acidity give an excellent balance. It is very charming to ask for a second glass thanks to its light, elegant body.

Food recommendation  - Classic pairing is with goose liver and with desserts. However it is worth to be brave enough and taste it not only with desserts but also with main dishes like poultry with some fruit sauce.

Furmint Dry 2015 – Bio – Nagyszőlő Single Vineyard Selected

The Furmint grape variety is the most planted grape in the Tokaj wine region. It plays a key role thanks to the fact that it is able to give elegant, mineral, dry wine as well as late harvest and Aszú. Furmint is not only famous of collecting high residual sugar content but also having nice acidity. Furmint is a perfect grape variety to express the very diverse soil of the terroir of Tokaj region. This wine comes from the Tokaj-Hétszőlő Imperial Estate which derives from the Hétszőlő Single Vineyard from 1502 when 7 parcels of land based on loess soil were assembled.

“We do believe that with organic approach we can protect the vitality of the vines and so have better quality now and in the future. In order to be able to communicate this philosophy we only use our own grapes to create the Hétszőlő wines.” (Gergely Makai, technical director)

Vintage - After a light, dry winter and spring we had an also dry but very hot summer. Thanks again to the organic viniculture we could harvest well matured grapes, however with  smaller berries. The wines from this hot and dry vintage are beautifully fruity and has  a charming elegance.

Tasting notes   - Very intense, fruity and beautiful nose. We get the same on palate. The wine is well balanced and with the tropical fruit flavors we also get elegant acidity and minerality. The wine is already charming in its young age but has nice aging potential too.

Food recommendation  - To be honest it is a real pleasure to drink it on its own but would work well with seafood, any but grilled fish, with green, fresh salad only olive oil on it or with lighter white paste dishes.

More: www.tokajhetszolo.com