If you crave a break from busy workdays, there’s a place in Eger that promises to reset your mood: the Tóth Ferenc Winery’s annual summer picnic on Flat Hill (Síkhegy). Scheduled for July 26, 2025, from 4 PM, this laid-back gathering lets you sink into countryside peace, soak up the vineyard’s character, and shrug off the need to rush. For a few hours, just be present—there’s nowhere better to simply exist.
Event Details and Entry
A ticket costs $10, payable upon arrival. As a treat, you’ll receive a custom ReCup for your welcome drink. Children under 14 get in free. There’s one rule: you must register in advance, either by phone or email, so don’t turn up unannounced!
What’s on the Menu?
The local Fázis Food & Coffee (Fázis Koszt&Kávé) team prepares the food. Expect hearty bites like potato pancake tacos with pulled pork, spiced sour cream, tomato salsa, salad, and cheddar. A vegetarian taco option features roasted zucchini and guacamole for a green twist. For dessert: floating islands (madártej) with crunchy meringue and tangy raspberries.
Wine, Music, Vibes
Cassie Soull sets the mood with live music right in the vineyard. If you want more than the standard pour, at 6 PM you can sign up for a special five-wine superior tasting session—separate registration is required. The tasting lineup includes:
– Star of Eger Superior 2023 (Egri Csillag Superior 2023)
– Rhine Riesling Superior 2023 (Rajnai Rizling Superior 2023)
– Eger Kadarka Superior 2023 (Egri Kadarka Superior 2023)
– Defender Eger Bull’s Blood Grand Superior 2021, Flat Hill Vineyard (Várvédő Egri Bikavér Grand Superior 2021 Síkhegy)
– Sweet Linden Leaf 2023 (Sweet Hárslevelű 2023)
Getting There Made Easy
Walk, bike, or drive up Flat Hill (Síkhegy) if you prefer, but for hassle-free transport, hop on the dedicated Tóthék Transfer shuttle. It departs from behind the 1956 Memorial (’56 emlékmű) at Hatvanikapu Square (across from Géza Gárdonyi Theatre (Gárdonyi Géza Színház)) at 4:15, 5:00, 5:45, 6:30, and 7:15 PM. The return bus leaves every hour at half past, and the round-trip fare is just $4 per person. Be sure to indicate which shuttle you’ll take when you register.
Stay the Night in Wine Lover’s Style
Tourists and wine lovers can stay at the stylish Defender (Várvédő) self-catering apartments, nestled just below Eger Castle among the Old Town’s best eateries. Three units, sleeping up to ten, are available.
In the famous Valley of the Beautiful Woman (Szépasszonyvölgy), stroll the signature horseshoe-shaped row of cellars, including Tóth Ferenc’s #46. Here, you’ll find everything from everyday, conversation-worthy wines to the truly grand bottles, as well as local spreads, cheeses, olives, and even artisanal chocolates.
Keeping Tradition Alive
A few years ago, the family started with just deckchairs and bottles for a simple sunset hangout on Flat Hill (Síkhegy). Now, the Tóthék tradition attracts larger crowds each time, with monthly gatherings all summer. Their heartfelt mission: to perfect Eger Bull’s Blood (Egri Bikavér) and Star of Eger (Egri Csillag) for the region, and to champion local grapes—Maiden (Leányka), Kadarka, and Blue Frankish (Kékfrankos)—for all wine lovers.
Note: The organizers reserve the right to alter details or dates!
