Hegymagas sits in the Tapolca Basin at the foot of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy), just 3.1 miles from Lake Balaton. It’s tiny, scenic, and deeply into wine, food, and living traditions—perfect if you like your weekends slow, flavorful, and a little volcanic. 2026 is packed with markets, tastings, and cellar-hopping, with many spots open year-round.
Weekly Hegymagas Market: Taste the Badacsony Region
The Hegymagas Market rolls out a fragrant, hyper-local spread every Saturday in February and early March. Taste the Badacsony region, chat with producers, and take home cheese, charcuterie, honey, jams, baked goods, herbs, and—of course—bottles from nearby slopes. Dates locked: February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7. Location: Hegymagas.
“Szent György-hegy hajnalig”: The Mountain Party
June 6–7 marks Szent György-hegy hajnalig, the legendary dusk-till-dawn wine ramble that lights up the hill. Cellars open, glasses clink, music drifts, and the volcano’s southern terraces glow above Lake Balaton. Plan for late nights, long views, and generous pours. Many wineries offer pre-booked tastings—reserve early.
Stay the Night: Kovács Guesthouse
Kovács Guesthouse (Kovács Vendégház) in Hegymagas is open all year, an easy base for markets, hikes, and tastings. Expect calm courtyards, homey rooms, and that countryside rhythm where mornings start with birds and end with a glass on the terrace.
Micro-Estate Red Wine Focus
On St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy), a pocket-sized estate tends what they call 2×2 hectares—about 9.9 acres in total—leaning boldly into reds in a region known for whites. The small scale means obsessive attention in the vineyard and cellar. Book ahead for a cellar visit and a six-wine flight showcasing the estate’s top bottles. Tastings run two hours—enough time to get into soil talk, barrel choices, and vintage swings.
Family Wine and Agritourism on the Southern Slopes
A long-running family venture works 49.4 acres on the southern side, pairing viticulture with agritourism. Vineyard walks, porch-side glasses, and rooms in guesthouses make it easy to linger. The style leans clean and site-driven, with that basalt-mineral edge that’s the St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) signature. Stays can be booked alongside tastings.
Tiny Cellar, Big Character
One of the hill’s smallest wineries sets out to craft distinctive, handmade, delicate wines from the mountain’s special varieties. The vibe is intimate: think small-batch bottlings, talk-with-the-winemaker tastings, and an atmosphere built for memories. Advance booking recommended—capacity is tight, and that’s part of the charm.
Gilvesy: Volcanic Wines Since 2012
Founded by Róbert Gilvesy in 2012, this winery leans hard into the mountain’s volcanic identity. Stop by the Vinotheque (Vinotéka) during opening hours for purchases, pre-arrange pickups or delivery, and lock in a tasting program with a quick message. Expect structured whites, precise acidity, and that cool, stony energy from basalt-rich soils.
Classic Family Cellar, Grape-Variety Playground
A Hegymagas family cellar pours a who’s who of local and Central European varieties: Welschriesling (olaszrizling), Müller-Thurgau (rizlingszilváni), Zengő, Gewürztraminer (tramini), Riesling (rajnai rizling), Chardonnay, and Rózsakő. It’s a tour of styles—from aromatic and floral to mineral and crisp—mapping the hill’s microclimates, glass after glass.
Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince): Since 1996 on the Sunny Side
Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince) has welcomed wine lovers since 1996 on the south face of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy). They farm 44.5 acres, blending modern processing tech with classic patience—some wines age longer in wooden barrels for depth and texture. The range tends to be balanced and food-friendly, built for long evenings and generous tables.
Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince): Views, Classics, and Easy Sips
Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince) sits 656 feet from Tarányi Cellar and the Lengyel Chapel, clinging to the southern slope with cinematic views. They pour both wine on tap and bottled selections, and run tastings by appointment. It’s the kind of place where a quick stop becomes a panoramic sunset session—bring friends and time.
Year-Round Vinotheque, Seasonal Kitchen
The St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) estate vinotheque is open every day, all year. From spring through fall, the renewed estate center hosts the Viridárium kitchen, welcoming food and wine travelers with seasonal plates that play with local produce and the hill’s acidity-driven whites. It’s an easy hub for a post-hike lunch or a pre-tasting bite.
Plan, Book, Wander
Dates and programs may change, so check ahead. Many tastings require reservations, especially during Szent György-hegy hajnalig and summer weekends. Whether you’re here for micro-lot reds, mineral-rich whites, or a Saturday market stroll, Hegymagas packs the good life into a compact, delicious loop—lake, lava, and long pours all included.
Quick Dates
– Hegymagas Market: Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7 (Hegymagas)
– Szent György-hegy hajnalig: June 6–7 (St. George Hill/Szent György-hegy)
The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
