Once again, the tastiest days of autumn are ripening in Palkonya (Palkonya)! This charming wine and gastro village, tucked into hillside vineyards near Villány (Villány), comes alive with the scents, tastes, and laughter of the harvest. For one weekend in early September, open cellar doors, culinary adventures, and unfiltered wine-country fun invite you to slow down and soak up pure autumnal joy. The theme this year: everything harvest.
Palkonya’s Harvest Cellar Open House
Mark your calendars for September 5-6, 2025. As you sip on young must, new wines, or your well-loved mature favorite, feel your soul don its fall colors along with the vineyards. Both days are free to attend and explore—no entrance fee, no central stage. On Saturday, some themed programs require registration due to limited space, but wandering, tasting, and music remain delightfully accessible to all.
The Program
Friday kicks off at 4 PM with the Birtok DJ Crew spinning at Haraszti Estate (Haraszti Birtok) and Camping, promising a strictly retro-free zone. From 6 PM, DJ Jillek takes over the decks at Little Pip Winery (KisMokos Pince) on the village’s historic cellar row.
On Saturday, the fun starts at noon with a guided GastroTour (registration required) and the Birtok DJ Crew back at Haraszti Estate (Haraszti Birtok) and Camping. At 2 PM, join a Village Walk (registration required) or catch Velin Fox performing at Little Pip Winery (KisMokos Pince). By 4 PM, get swept up in a musical tractor parade setting out from the Pécs (Pécs) side of the village. DJ TOM-I will close out the day from 6 PM at Little Pip Winery (KisMokos Pince).
Rest, Play, and Taste in Village Guesthouses
Looking for a place to soak up the festival atmosphere? Bella Guesthouse (Bella Vendégház) near Palkonya (Palkonya) offers tranquil countryside charm year-round. With its own wine cellar, playground, sauna, and pool, it’s the perfect base for couples, families, and groups. Outside, enjoy lakeside walks and fishing, a sprawling panoramic yard with barbecue, oven, and grill, or try the Three Rivers (Három Folyó) bicycle and hiking routes. For active types, nearby forests offer hunting opportunities.
Since 2005, Bella Guesthouse (Bella Vendégház) has welcomed families and friends with style and modern comfort in a fully renovated heritage house. Rented only as an entire home, it’s ideal for 8 to 17 people—perfect for family reunions or laid-back company retreats.
Local cuisine is a given, but here you’ll also taste Swabian flavors honoring the village’s mixed heritage. Whether for lunch or dinner, pair meals with house wines in the restaurant, out in the garden, or under the grape arbors. The kitchen cooks with fresh, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
Nora-Porta (Nóra-Porta) is a beautifully restored Swabian farmhouse, partly built from adobe, with a guest room thoughtfully updated for 21st-century comfort. Year-round, guests can enjoy the spacious yard, breathtaking views over the garden, hills, and lake, and a true countryside vibe.
A New Twist on Wine Country Hospitality
Don’t expect fancy restaurants here! At one standout spot, you’ll find a peasant oven, a stew cauldron, a grill, a thriving herb garden—even playful lambs beneath the fruit trees. The air is fresh, the wine is superb, the winemakers are cheerful, and the hospitality is genuine. Guests can relax in a unique 19th-century Swabian farmhouse beside the protected heritage cellar row—look for Hárságyi Winery’s (Hárságyi Pince) Tasting House.
Rosemary Guesthouse (Rozmaring Vendégház) welcomes you to a terraced, panoramic garden overlooking the lake. This classic Swabian farmhouse includes a private entrance for guests, a lovely porch, and plenty of space for relaxation.
Simple Food, Glorious Wines, Real People
At Vaj Bistro (Vaj Bisztró), local produce stars in a constantly changing menu. Start your day with a hearty farmhouse breakfast and finish with a chatty, home-style dinner paired with local wines. Their two charming rooms make it the perfect rustic base for weddings, company events, or family celebrations—up to forty-five people are welcome.
The region’s main grape varieties are grown and replanted using cuttings harvested and cultivated by the winemakers themselves. Premium reds are fermented in oak vats and barrel-aged without harsh treatments. Meanwhile, Haraszti Estate and Camping (Haraszti Birtok és Kemping)—set on its own island, far from everything—offers sublime wine, stunning views, energy, and space to relax or celebrate right on the slopes.
With three generations working these vines in both Palkonya (Palkonya) and Villánykövesd (Villánykövesd), one family winery crafts both classic red and rare fruit wines, aiming to put these lesser-known drinks on the map in Hungary.
Note for Planners
Event times and programs may change—check before you go. One thing’s certain, though: Palkonya’s autumn open cellars are not to be missed.
