A Thousand Years of Wine: Pannonhalma’s Winemaking Legacy

Pannonhalma Abbey, located in northwestern Hungary, is a historic Benedictine monastery that has stood the test of time since its founding in the 10th century. From the beginning, monks have been growing grapes and producing wine here. Despite its long history, it boasts a modern winery that is making cutting-edge wines today.

Pannonhalma has remained relevant despite being one of Hungary’s oldest monasteries with the opening of its state-of-the-art winery in 2003. The winery is a perfect example of how old traditions can be fused with new technology and contemporary winemaking practices.

In addition to its exceptional winery, Pannonhalma abbey boasts stunning architecture and breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. The abbey is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to marvel at its beauty and rich history.

The wines of Pannonhalma are balanced and elegant, and it’s one of the few wineries whose red and white wines are equally great. The winery produces a broad range of wines that reflect its philosophy of combining old and new. The winery’s grape varieties and winemaking philosophy were greatly influenced and assisted by the legendary late winemaker Tibor Gál.

The winery’s building is based on the philosophy of gravitational winemaking, which means each step of the winemaking process happens one level below the previous one, so that the grapes are pumped or mechanically moved as little as possible. The grapes grown here are a mix of elegant varieties including Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier white grapes as well as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir reds.

For those who prefer lighter wines, Tricollis is a crisp and refreshing option with a lively style. The two Hemina wines, on the other hand, are medium-bodied, full of flavor and layered wines. The top wine of the range, Infusio, is a full-bodied red, made from a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes and aged in oak barrels for 18 months, giving it a complex and rich flavor profile that will leave you wanting more.