Hegymagas, tucked into the Tapolca Basin at the foot of Saint George Hill (Szent György-hegy) and just 3 miles from Lake Balaton, is gearing up for a busy 2026. The village’s lineup leans into what it does best: wine tourism, food, and tradition. With Balaton so close, the population multiplies from spring to autumn as visitors pour in for tastings, markets, and long, lazy weekends among the vines.
Weekly Hegymagas Market
The Hegymagas Market becomes the winter anchor, popping up on multiple dates to spotlight producers from the Badacsony region. Expect local flavors, farm finds, and the kind of direct-from-the-maker shopping that keeps Saturday plans simple.
– January 24, 2026 – Hegymagas Market, Hegymagas
– January 31, 2026 – Hegymagas Market, Hegymagas
– February 7, 2026 – Hegymagas Market, Hegymagas
– February 14, 2026 – Hegymagas Market, Hegymagas
– February 21, 2026 – Hegymagas Market, Hegymagas
More dates are on the way.
Hegymagas Essentials
Dates, stays, and food-and-drink options orbit the markets and the vineyards. For accommodation, Kovács Guesthouse in Hegymagas is open all year, making it a go-to base for weekenders and midweek escape artists alike.
All-Night on the Hill
Circle June 6–7, 2026: “Szent György-hegy hajnalig” (“Saint George Hill Until Dawn”) returns with its dusk-till-dawn vibe. This is the signature hill party—wine cellars open late, kitchens hum, and the slopes fill with visitors moving from terrace to terrace as the sky turns from sunset to sunrise. It’s part pilgrimage, part playground, and easily the hill’s most electric weekend of the year.
Wineries to Know
On Saint George Hill (Szent György-hegy), the wineries are small, personal, and serious about craft, with a volcanic backbone that shows in every glass.
– A boutique estate on Saint George Hill cultivates a modest 2×2 hectares (roughly 9.9 acres total), a name and scale that speak to precision. Here, the focus is unusually on reds for the Badacsony area. Visits are by appointment, with a two-hour tasting of six top selections that tour the estate’s best work.
– A family-run wine and agritourism project farms 20 hectares (49.4 acres) on the southern slopes. With guesthouses available, it’s a place to settle in for a couple of days, sip through their lineup, and watch the late light over the basalt hills.
– Possibly the smallest cellar on the hill aims for handcrafted, delicate bottles from unique local varieties. Tastings are curated for atmosphere and memory—expect intimacy, a sense of place, and a few new favorites to take home.
– Gilvesy’s volcanic wines have been a modern pillar since owner Róbert Gilvesy launched the winery in 2012. The Vinotheque is open during scheduled hours and by appointment, with the option to purchase on site or arrange delivery. Tasting programs are organized on request—ideal for small groups seeking a guided deep dive.
– A family winery in Hegymagas pours a white-led collection: Welschriesling (olaszrizling), Müller-Thurgau (rizlingszilváni), Zengő, Gewürztraminer (tramini), Riesling (rajnai rizling), Chardonnay, and Rose Stone (rózsakő). It’s a classic Badacsony palette with local grapes in the spotlight.
– Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince), welcoming wine lovers since 1996 on the southern side of the hill, tends 18 hectares (44.5 acres). Modern processing sits alongside a traditional touch: select wines age longer in wooden barrels for layered structure and texture.
– Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince) sits on the southern slope, about 220 yards from both the Tarányi Cellar and the Lengyel Chapel. Expect excellent wines and one of the area’s prime views. They offer wine on tap and bottled selections; tastings are by reservation.
– The Saint George Hill (Szent György-hegy) estate’s Vinotheque is open every day, all year. From spring to autumn, the refreshed estate center hosts the Viridárium kitchen—an easy win for pairing plates with pours and hanging out in the courtyard between tastings.
How to Do It
– Book tastings ahead. The hill runs on small teams and careful schedules, especially at cellars that host only by appointment or run guided programs.
– Stay local. With Kovács Guesthouse open year-round and guesthouses attached to vineyards, you can park the car and walk between sips and sunsets.
– Plan for the markets. The Hegymagas Market lights up the winter calendar on January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, and February 21—and likely beyond. Go early for the best pick of cheeses, charcuterie, bakes, oils, preserves, and seasonal produce.
– Come back in summer. “Szent György-hegy hajnalig” across June 6–7 is the headline event; it’s loud, lively, and best enjoyed without a tight schedule.
Good to Know
Some wineries emphasize reds despite the area’s white-wine reputation—don’t skip those bottlings. Volcanic soils bring mineral grip and intensity across the board, from Welschriesling to Chardonnay. Tastings typically run one to two hours; six-wine flights are common at the more curated stops. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so always check for updates before you set off.
