Hegymagas spills down the foot of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) in the Tapolca Basin, just 3.1 miles from Lake Balaton. It’s a tiny village with big flavor: volcanic wines, farmers’ markets, and laid-back countryside vibes. In 2026, the calendar fills up with weekly markets, cellar tours, and a summer all-nighter on the hill. Bring an appetite, good shoes, and time to linger.
Weekly Hegymagas Market
Every Saturday in February and the first week of March, the Hegymagas Market is the place to taste the Badacsony region, meet producers, and grab fresh goods straight from the source. Dates confirmed: February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7, all in Hegymagas. Expect everything local: artisanal food, seasonal produce, and plenty of reasons to chat over a glass of something crisp. The idea is simple—discover flavors, support growers, and take home the best of the hill.
St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy), All Night Long
Circle June 6–7, 2026. Szent György-hegy hajnalig (St. George Hill Until Dawn) throws the doors of the hill wide open for a long, luminous night of tastings, music, and slow wandering between cellars. As the name promises, it runs until sunrise. It’s the hill’s signature party and a rare chance to sample wines where they’re made, often with volcanic basalt cliffs as the backdrop.
Stay the Night
If you want more than a day trip, book into the Kovács Guesthouse in Hegymagas. It’s open year-round and works as a base for markets, hikes, and cellar visits. From here, Balaton’s beaches are a quick drive, while the hill’s walking paths begin at your doorstep.
Cellars on the Hill
St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) belongs to the Badacsony wine region, and its winemakers lean into the volcanic soil to craft wines with spice and mineral bite. Several wineries highlight cellar experiences worth planning for.
– A micro-estate on St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) works 2 by 2 hectares of vines—small by design so every parcel gets full attention. Unusually for the region, they focus on reds. Visits are by appointment, with a six-wine lineup showcasing the estate’s top bottles. Budget around two hours for the tasting and the kind of cellar talk that makes you forget your phone.
– A family-run wine and agritourism venture farms 49.4 acres on the sunlit southern slopes. You can also book guesthouses through them—ideal if you want to wake up among vines and walk to your first tasting.
– Possibly the hill’s smallest cellar is all about handcrafted, delicate wines from special local varieties. They’re big on mood as much as flavor, aiming for tastings you’ll actually remember—not just the labels.
– Gilvesy’s volcanic wines have been turning heads since 2012. The vinotheque is open during posted hours and by arrangement, with purchase and delivery options if you find your favorite. Tasting programs are organized on request, making it easy to build a custom flight with guidance.
– A Hegymagas family winery pours a range that speaks the region’s language fluently: Welschriesling (olaszrizling), MĂĽller-Thurgau (rizlingszilváni), ZengĹ‘, Traminer (tramini), Riesling (rajnai rizling), Chardonnay, and Rose Stone (rĂłzsakĹ‘). It’s a snapshot of Badacsony’s traditional and experimental side by side.
– Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince) has welcomed wine lovers since 1996 on the southern face of the hill. They farm 44.5 acres and mix modern processing with time in barrel for selected wines. If you like structure and oak done thoughtfully, put them on your map.
– Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince) sits 656 feet from Tarányi Cellar and Lengyel Chapel, with a knockout view over the basin. They serve wine by the glass and by the bottle; tastings are by appointment. It’s a great stop to pair sips with scenery and photos you’ll definitely pretend are candid.
– One of the hill’s main estates keeps its vinotheque open every day, all year. From spring to autumn, the Viridárium kitchen operates at the revamped estate center, feeding both food and wine travelers. It’s the spot to settle in, order plates that play well with minerally whites, and watch the light move across the vines.
Why Hegymagas Works
The setting helps. St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) is an ancient lava dome rising out of the basin, its basalt pillars and terraces famous among hikers and photographers. The wines reflect that geology: bright acids, salty edges, and a slow-burn complexity that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Add the village’s low-key rhythm—markets on winter Saturdays, doors open in summer, vistas at every turn—and it becomes one of those places you plan to pass through and end up canceling plans for.
Plan Ahead
Cellar visits typically require booking, especially for structured tastings. The all-night June event draws crowds; arrange transport, lodging, and a route between cellars in advance. Markets run on specific Saturdays, so check dates and go early for the best selection. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep an eye out for updates before you travel.
The Essentials
– Where: Hegymagas, Tapolca Basin, 3.1 miles from Lake Balaton, at the foot of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy).
– When to go: February–March for Saturday markets; June 6–7 for the overnight hill festival; year-round for tastings by appointment and the daily vinotheque.
– What to expect: Small-scale cellars, volcanic whites and a few adventurous reds, guesthouses among the vines, farm-fresh shopping, and big-sky sunsets that make time stretch.
