Hegymagas, tucked into the Tapolca Basin at the foot of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) and just 3.1 miles from Lake Balaton, is small-town charm with big flavor. From spring to autumn the village population multiplies thanks to its wine tourism, food scene, and tradition-keeping events. In 2026, it’s doubling down on weekly markets, signature wine experiences, and a summer night festival that runs until dawn. Multiple venues across the 8265 postal code will host programs throughout the year, with a steady rhythm starting right away in January.
Weekly Hegymagas Market
Every Saturday from late January into February, the Hegymagas Market brings a slice of the Badacsony region straight to your shopping bag. Meet producers, taste what’s in season, and buy direct from locals who pour passion into their cheeses, cured meats, jams, and more.
– 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)
Expect a friendly crush of locals and visitors—thanks to Balaton’s pull, crowds swell as soon as temperatures lift. It’s an easy launchpad for a leisurely day on St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy): market in the morning, cellar doors in the afternoon, and panoramic sunsets to finish.
“Szent György-hegy hajnalig” Returns
Circle June 6–7, 2026 for Szent György-hegy hajnalig—an all-night celebration across the volcanic slopes. Cellars keep their doors open late, kitchens fire local favorites, and the hill hums with clinking glasses and storytelling under the stars. It’s the signature summer moment here: come for the wines, stay for the views, and leave with plans to return.
Stay: Kovács Guesthouse
For an all-seasons base, the Kovács Guesthouse in Hegymagas hosts guests year-round. It’s close to the trailheads, within easy reach of the markets and the hill’s cellar network, and ideal if you want to ditch the car and explore on foot. Book ahead for festival weekends and harvest time, when availability tightens.
Wine on the Volcanic Slopes
The south-facing flanks of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) shelter an impressive roster of small and mid-size producers. Expect crisp whites, surprising reds, and a spectrum of volcanic minerality that’s made the Badacsony region a staple on Hungarian wine trips.
– Boutique red-focused estate (St. George Hill/Szent György-hegy): Working 2×2 hectares (roughly 9.9 acres), this tiny cellar puts a rare regional emphasis on reds, crafted with meticulous attention across small plots. Visits are by appointment; a two-hour tasting covers six of the estate’s top wines.
– Family winery and agritourism (St. George Hill/Szent György-hegy): A 49.4-acre family venture on the southern slopes that blends working vineyards with rural stays. Bookable guesthouses make it easy to linger for sunrise hikes and evening tastings.
– The hill’s smallest cellar: Think handcrafted, delicatessen-style wines from distinctive local varieties. Tastings are intimate and atmospheric—aimed at creating those vivid, remember-this-forever wine moments.
– Gilvesy Wines: Volcanic bottles with a clean, modern edge from a winery founded by Róbert Gilvesy in 2012. The wine shop (Vinotéka) is open during posted hours; purchases can be arranged on-site or by appointment, and delivery is available. Tasting programs are scheduled on request.
– Family winery in Hegymagas: Expect a varietal lineup that reads like a who’s who of the region—Welschriesling (olaszrizling), Müller-Thurgau (rizlingszilváni), Zengő, Gewürztraminer (tramini), Riesling (rajnai rizling), Chardonnay, and Rózsakő.
– Horváth Cellar (Horváth Pince): Hosting wine lovers since 1996 on the southern side of St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy), with 44.5 acres under vine. They pair modern processing with extended barrel aging for select bottles, marrying freshness with depth.
– Nyári Cellar (Nyári Pince): A short 656-foot stroll from the Tarányi Cellar (Tarányi-pince) and Lengyel Chapel (Lengyel-kápolna), this spot pours excellent wines with wow-factor views. You’ll find both draft and bottled selections; book ahead for tastings.
– St. George Hill Estate wine shop (Szent György-hegyi estate Vinotéka): Open daily, year-round. From spring to autumn, the revamped estate center hosts the Viridárium kitchen, drawing food and wine travelers with seasonal plates tailored to the hill’s bottles.
How to Plan It
– Base yourself near the footpaths to walk between cellars—distances are short, and the scenery is the main course.
– Book tasting appointments in advance, especially with small-batch producers and during festival weekends.
– Use the Saturday market as your anchor: shop early, then roam the hill as the light turns golden.
– Summer to early fall is peak buzz, but winter and spring have their own charm—quiet trails, cozy tasting rooms, and more time to talk to the winemakers.
Good to Know
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs. Check times before you go, especially for special tastings and night events. Hegymagas’s event calendar updates through the season, and more dates will roll out as venues confirm plans.
Why Hegymagas
Three things set it apart: proximity to Balaton’s breezes, a tight cluster of passionate winemakers working volcanic soils, and a village vibe that turns visitors into regulars. Whether you come for a market morning, a full-blown festival night, or a long weekend of tastings, St. George Hill (Szent György-hegy) rewards slow travel—one glass, one view, one conversation at a time.
