St. Blaise Day comes to the Nivegy Valley on February 7, 2026, with a traditional Mass and throat blessing held among the ruins of an 800-year-old Árpád-era church atop St. Blaise Hill (Szent-Balázs-hegy). The community gathering blends faith, history, and a stunning Balaton Uplands panorama—an annual ritual that locals and visitors mark on their winter calendars.
Mass and Throat Blessing
The festive Mass begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at the St. Blaise Hill church ruins in Balatoncsicsó. Celebrants include András Mezei, parish priest of the Little St. Thérèse Carmelite Basilica in Keszthely; Szabolcs Tódor, parish priest of St. Ladislaus Parish (Szent László) in Búcsúszentlászló; and Father József Baladincz from St. Augustine Church in Balatoncsicsó. Organizers warmly invite everyone to the open-air liturgy and the traditional St. Blaise throat blessing. A list of open wineries nearby is coming soon.
Where to Taste and Stay
Péringer Cellar (Péringer Pince) sits on Fenyves Hill in Balatoncsicsó, in one of the Nivegy Valley’s prettiest corners, 4.35 miles from Lake Balaton. A converted attic guesthouse accommodates five, and the family pours quality wines—especially the region’s pride, juhfark—alongside olaszrizling, pinot gris (szürkebarát), and reds. Grapes are processed by traditional methods and aged in casks, producing medal-winning bottles.
Wine With a View
At Antmann Cellar (Antmann Pince), take in the Balaton Uplands vista from the terrace with craft wines and grilled dishes among friends. The winery farms 12.36 acres and hosts tastings and wine dinners by appointment; lodging and horse-drawn carriage rides are available on request.
Organic and Heritage Cellars
Gergely Winery (Gergely Borház) lies near the Balaton shore on St. Blaise Hill (Szent-Balázs-hegy), 4.35 miles from Zánka, between Szentantalfa and Balatoncsicsó. They champion organic wines and classic Hungarian styles for health-conscious wine lovers.
Scher Winery works the Bád vineyard above Balatoncsicsó, founded in 1992 by expanding a typical Balaton Uplands stone cellar first built in the 1850s.
Another family estate in Balatoncsicsó, 4.35 miles from Zánka, has produced wine since the 18th century. With more than 29.65 acres on prime clay soils, the cellar and guesthouse continue a multigenerational tradition of Balaton Uplands character wines.
The organizers reserve the right to change the time and program.
