Villany (full name: Villany-Siklos) has been an important wine region for centuries. Enchanting picturesque villages surrounded by green, thriving vineyards on the slopes of hills, delicious local food, white-washed traditional row of wineries standing proudly side by side, with modern technologies applied by quality-driven expert wine producers, and red wines that are bold, fruity and spicy. Welcome to Villany!

 

Location, Climate & Soil

Villany is located west of the Danube River, near the border with Croatia, in the Transdanubia area. Unlike most of Hungary where the climate is temperate continental and temperature differences can be extreme, Villany area has a mild sub-Mediterranean climate (except for occasional hail storms), with moderate winters, warm springs and dry, hot, sunny summers.

 

The soils are diversified. In most parts of the region, the soil is rich in nutrients and free draining. The combination of Villany’s mild climate, its diversified soils, and its relatively northern location, allowed a wide spectrum of grape varieties to prosper.

 

Viniculture History

Viniculture tradition in Villany goes back 2,000 years with deep roots in the Roman period. The Magyars (the ancestors of today’s Hungarians) who settled in the area in the 9th century continued the tradition. In Under the influence of the Catholic church, viniculture was even further expanded because wine was needed for ceremonial purposes, and just as importantly - a significant source of income for the church.

 

Viniculture continued also during the Ottoman reign (although Muslim), however some of the production was hidden in cellars. Following the Ottoman period, the lands were gifted to the nobility. 

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Phylloxera, Wars & Soviet Regime

At the turn of the 19th century into the 20th, like in most of Europe, the vineyards were attacked by the phylloxera insects and almost destroyed. Then, a few years later, the vineyards were damaged during the First World War and again during the Second World War. The final blow came at the end of the war, when Hungary became part of the communist Soviet Union. 

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Generally speaking, a communist society is based on common ownership of the means of production, without relying on social classes, money or individuals. Communism does not believe in individualism. Everyone needs to be blended together into a big masse by the massive wheels of the administration of the state.

 

Wine is part of culture, and reflects its values. The effect of communism on Hungarian viniculture was dramatic, and Villany was no exception. The vineyards were nationalized into giant farms, and the grapes were sold to state-run cooperatives that produced wine. All grapes were treated the same way, regardless of quality or variety, and the wines were blended, and "flattened" into bulk, inexpensive, unrefined wines that were exported by the state to East and Central Europe. 

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The passion and soul so critical to wine-making were completely lost, cultivation deteriorated, no investments wineries, technologies or equipment were made, the quality of grapes deteriorated, old wine-making traditions were abandoned in favor of short term simple rough processes, treating the vines as a resource that should be exploited rather than as an asset to invest in, and the wine was produced by a soulless mass production facility. 

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Modern Wines Revival

The passion for quality wine-making re-sparked as soon as the communist period ended and many small wineries were established. The producers self-organized and collaborated to support each other. While the old traditions are well respected, new technologies were applied in the wineries, equipment was modernized and investments were made in the vineyards and in the wineries.

 

Just as importantly, as the borders have opened, the next generation of producers could deepen and expand their professional wine education. Today, many wineries in the region are led by the “second generation” experts, using state-of-the-art technologies. 

 

Villany Varieties

There are Burgundy varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as the typical Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and the more southern Syrah.

 

Alongside the international varieties, there are several “Austro-Hungarian-Balkan'' varieties grown, such as the Kekoporto (the local name for Blauer Portugieser), Kadarka and Zweigelt.

    

Spearheading Wine Industry

The wine industry of Villany is dynamic and evolving, often the spearhead of new trends.  Villany was the first region in Hungary to start bottling wines, the first to create a “Wine Route” originating from a tourism “mindset”, the leader in adopting state-of-the-art technologies and the first to create a trademark protecting Villany origin.  Quite consistently, Villany wines and wineries are awarded prizes in international and domestic wine competitions. 

 

Villany Varieties

The region has shifted from white wine towards red wines in the 20th century, and rightly so, because the red wines produced can be exceptional. Although some wineries produce varietal wines, typically to Hungary, most of the wines are blends.

 

The producers selected Cabernet Franc as the leading variety in wines, following the French tradition, and indeed, Villany Franc, the “Super Premium” top wine is an outstanding expression of velvety rich Cabernet Franc.

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Traditionally, red wines produced in Villany are big, powerful, oaky, low in acidity, with medium tannins, with dark berries, vanilla and spicy flavors.
 

As part of the dynamic evolution of the region, the younger generation of wine producers are using the local variety - Kekoporto (the local name of Blauer Portugieser) blended with Kekfrankos (blackberry fruit, high acidity) and Kadarka. Sometimes, one or more international varieties are added for lighter red wine.   

 

There are three quality levels: Classic, Premium and Super Premium, depending on the duration of oak ageing and the grape quality.

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Although the Villany region has been sometimes referred to as the “Hungarian Bordeaux”, we believe that recent years have demonstrated that Villany has its individual “claim to fame”, standing on its own merits and terroir. The unique character and identity of the Villany wines are gradually becoming more clearly expressed, rightfully gaining international recognition. 

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