The region – where more than 500 ha vineyards used to be cultivated - takes pride in thousand years old viticulture. The area planted with vines has been reduced to almost one half; historical plantations have ceased to exist to give place to week-end houses, hobby vineyards and wineries.

The present-day heart of the region is constituted by modern, suitable for large-scale cultivation plantations established in the fields of a Lesencefalu and Lesencetomaj on yellow loess soil 200-250 m above sea level.

The unique natural environment, the unforgettable Balaton landscape is the home of the Kázsmér Cellars. The Kázsmérs have been living there over thousand years. The ancestors settled down in the region probably with the Tomaj clan during the conquest in the 9th century. The surname refers to Khazar forefathers.

The Kázsmér Cellars were established by János Kázsmér Sr. in 1997, the estate is being developed forth by the third generation under the name Kázsmér Vineyards and Cellars. The ancestors had been following agriculture, in particular, vine-growing and winemaking until 1982. There was an interruption of that activity until 1997 when the retired János Kázsmér came back to the ancient profession.

To retrieve the viticulture knowledge and experience, Italian and French experts were invited to help to elaborate business and technological plans. Enzo Rivella has to be mentioned in this context who was Director of Castello Banfi and President of the Association of Italian Oenologist at that time.

The concept drawn up with Mr. Rivella was based on the idea that the winery should process the grapes grown by the producers of the surrounding area particularly the Lesence-region.

Considering the area and condition of those vineyards, 30 thousand hl per annum was stipulated as the capacity of the winery. Only white grape varieties were allowed in the region at that time. In agreement with Mr. Rivella, only own grapes are used for bottled wines to meet the highest quality demands. It followed from the concept that the winemaking capacity had to be built up in planned stages.

At first, in 1997, the entire vinification capacity was realized to produce bulk wines followed by the bottling line and facility in 2002.

Meanwhile, also red grapes were allowed in the wine region, so planting of such could be commenced. The planting was continued until 70 ha. Fortunately, the plan of the first investment stage allowed supplementing it by a facility to produce 2000 hl of red wines.

Planting the vineyards and development of the winery was performed on the most up-to-date technological basis of that time. Thanks to the continuous development, the highest level is still present. Our wines had been brought to the domestic and foreign markets under the Lesence brand name until 2015, the family’s name, Kázsmér appears on the labels beginning with the 2015 vintage.

The Winery

The Kázsmér Cellars are a reasonable mix of centuries old traditions and the results of the scientific and technical development of our age. We do not deem craftsmanship as a feature determining the quality value of wines, in the 21 century it is rather an economic or technologic compulsion. Quality and value creation has become already the result of sophisticated vine-growing and winemaking processes applied.

For that sake we plant those clones of varieties that possess those features most of all, even at the price of yield reduction side of the production potential. The technologies applied in vine-growing and winemaking have to serve the extraction and preservation of those values.

The new trend of producing taste and flavor during fermentation does not fit into that philosophy. We believe that the organoleptic features deliberately pushed forward that way constitute a wine defect.

We acknowledge the priority of the consumers’ demands and support the advancing of the consumption of refreshing and aromatic wines. But we maintain our opinion that the grandeur of consuming milieu can be supported only with aged and special wines.

We are against reducing the choice of varieties and establishing and maintaining monoculture. The buyer deserves luxuriating in diversity.

Wines presented at XpatLoop.com's Annual Charity Party:

Fiesta 2008 (Sárgakápolna)

Vintage: 2008
Composition: cabernet fanc, merlot, shiraz
Best consumed: 17-20 ˚C
According to invert sugar content: dry wine
Alcohol content: 15 %
Content: 750 ml

Very ripe Cabernet Sauvignon constitutes the base of the wine, while Merlot and Shiraz lend delicacy and fruity character.
As a result of long aging in new casks there are vanilla and chocolate taste and aroma.
Corpulence and elegant and harmonic taste appear at the same time.

Chardonnay (DH)

Vintage: 2008
Composition: cabernet fanc, merlot, shiraz
Best consumed: 17-20 ˚C
According to invert sugar content: dry wine
Alcohol content: 15 %
Content: 750 ml

An elegant wine with variety character and inner stave aged. Creamy taste with vanilla and hazelnut notes. Recommended with sea fish, white meat, spicy sauces and cream soups, but it is pleasant by itself too.

Sauvignon (Nobilis)

Vintage: 2011
Composition: Sauvignon Blanc
Best consumed: 10-15 ˚C
According to invert sugar content: dry wine
Alcohol content: 14.5 %
Content: 750 ml

A fresh, elegant and harmonic specialty with the aroma and fullness of ripe grapes and that obtained from aging. In spite of being dry the lovely sweetness in the finish makes it even more attractive. It goes well with piquant appetizers, vegetable dishes and white meat cooked with dill. It is a good choice with boiled fish and marinated roast.

Winery address: 8318 Lesencetomaj, külterület, hrsz: 0404/6.
+36 06 87 436 168

More: http://kazsmerpinceszet.hu/