WINE Vincellér Winery

wine

WINES FROM THE SHORES OF LAKE FERTŐ

OUTSTANDING VINTAGES FROM THE 35-YEAR-OLD VINCELLÉR WINERY The Sopron wine-growing region is undoubtedly unique due to the special climate of Lake Fertő and the mica schist-rich soil in many plots. This wine region being typically cooler in character, could be a great winner of climate change, where several varieties could be in the spotlight beyond Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch).

The story of the Vincellér Winery began in 1986, when five families, as the leading viticulturists of the local state cooperative, joined forces to start their own business. The winery in Fertőboz, in the cellars of the former Széchenyi Mansion, has developed nicely and in 2010 it was time for a generation change. Since then, Titi Molnár, one of the founding family members being returned home after his ‘master years’ spent in Austria, has been supervising the viticulture and wine-making activities. Local varieties

The winery works with a so-called classic variety selection being characteristic of Sopron, with a focus on Carpathian Basin varieties. The white varieties are Zöld Veltelini (Grüner Veltliner) and Zenit, while the black grapes are Kékfrankos and Zweigelt. The latter one is particularly close to Titi Molnár's heart. “It was actually my father who made it possible to grow Zweigelt in Hungary today. In the early 1960s, he spent an apprenticeship in Krems, Austria, in the winery of Lenz Moser on a state scholarship. At the time it was such a big opportunity for a vine grower in a socialist country as if I were the first person to plant Zweigelt on the Moon. There were several successful moments of this Austrian internship, one of the most important was that he noticed this Austrian variety there and then brought the first vines into the country to create the first plantation.”

Telling labels

A primary concern for the winery is to cultivate the grapes in a sustainable and gentle manner, in harmony with their environment. Wine labels also highlight this philosophy by depicting the typical wildlife of the Fertő region. Elderberries adorn the bottle of the Zöld Veltelini as the 700-year-old village, Fertőboz is named after this plant; the high-quality reeds defining the lakeside are on the Zenit, and the barn swallow naturally providing mosquito control is shown on the label of the Kékfrankos. Furthermore, label of the Vincellér Zweigelt illustrates the grey cattle, a typical livestock of the pastures along the Fertő, while the Rosé wine of the winery features a local frog population of international importance.

Outstanding vintages

The winemaker's own ambitions are fulfilled in the wines merchandised under the label ‘Molnár Titi Selection’. These wines are made only in outstanding vintages, and are available in very limited quantities in numbered bottles. Specialities such as the orange wine made from Zenit, the Zweigelt harvested from the old vines in the priority areas and the barrel-aged Rosé, which is highly appreciated also by the world's most renowned rosé experts. ”Our cellar in Fertőboz is located next to the cycle path around the lake, an ideal resting place, from spring to autumn we have a lot of visitors for refreshments and for a fröccs (spritzer). We also like organising special, personalised tastings, and one of our popular programmes is pairing the wines with matching Harrer chocolates. The Sopron wine region has many surprises in store, so it's worth taking a few days to get to know it better!” Titi Molnár recommends.