As the end of August rolls around, the small hillside village of Egerszalók prepares for one of its biggest traditions: the Harvest-Opening Wine Tour (Szüretindító Bortúra). On August 30, 2025, locals and visitors alike can expect a packed Saturday in Egerszalók, full of music, processions, local flavors, community spirit, and, of course, wine—lots of it.
A Day for Wine — and Everyone Else Too
The festival unfolds throughout the day, with something enticing at every turn. Things kick off in classic style with a festive mass in the morning—an event that brings together generations from across the community. As the day warms up, the streets fill with a lively harvest parade, complete with traditional costumes and displays of local pride.
But it’s not just about wine. The program offers choral gatherings, concerts for every taste, creative craft workshops for children, and even an old-fashioned amusement park. The community’s winemakers host open house tastings, eager to show off the signature reds, whites, and rosés that Egerszalók is becoming increasingly known for.
Staying Local: Rustic Charm Meets Country Comfort
For those looking to extend the festival fun, the accommodations in Egerszalók have their own unique appeal. Many hostels and guesthouses are located in refurbished farmhouses overlooking the hillside, some facing the wooded Old Mountain (Öreg-hegy). These quaint village streets lead to magical places—a 20-minute stroll from the hot springs, winding past caves that once served as homes around the turn of the twentieth century.
Guesthouses range from family-run apartments with shady garden terraces to spacious, modern lodges just half a mile from Egerszalók’s lively center. The Gerendás Guesthouse (Gerendás Vendégház), a renovated old farmhouse, offers a choice of private apartments and cozy cabins in a location only 4 miles from Eger and just a short walk from the center of Egerszalók.
Pet-lovers aren’t left out either: at the inviting “House Under the Mountain” (Ház a Hegy Alatt), even dogs can join the festivities, lounging in a peaceful garden shaded by fruit trees.
Legendary Cellars, Local Legends
Wine is woven into the way of life here, with many families having run their own vineyards since the late 1980s. By the turn of the millennium, these family businesses began opening their cellars year-round, welcoming visitors to sample wines in unique tasting rooms carved into ancient rhyolite tufa stone. Hangácsi & Son Winery (Hangácsi és Fia Pincészet) is a standout, housing more than 132,000 gallons of aging red in oak casks—most famously their Bull’s Blood (Egri Bikavér), the region’s spicy, legendary blend.
Many of the area’s cellars double as rustic gathering spaces for small weddings, birthdays, class reunions, or even lively bachelor parties, often continuing late into the night. Don’t miss scenic terrace tastings, where visitors relax with a glass of wine under leafy awnings all summer long.
Beyond the Grape: Food, Baths, and Family Fun
While wine may be at the heart of the festivities, Egerszalók offers plenty to keep every guest pleased. The Shiraz Restaurant’s chefs dazzle with a Mediterranean and North African-inspired menu, featuring international flavors designed to surprise. For an even more exotic experience, Dubai Garden (Dubai Kert) restaurant welcomes guests with fountains, glass domes, intricate stonework, and a playful, imaginative menu.
Of course, no visit is complete without experiencing Egerszalók’s famous healing spa. The Saliris Resort—named for its “salt rainbow”—sits beside the iconic salt hill, a symbol of the town itself. The spa is a dazzling destination in its own right, aiming to recharge guests in style.
Traditions, Family, and the Season’s Best
Egerszalók’s wine culture is rooted in painstaking, year-round care for the vines, boasting eleven different grape varieties spread across carefully cultivated vineyards just west of Eger. Seasonal events like the Harvest-Opening Wine Tour (Szüretindító Bortúra) aren’t just party days—they’re a celebration of community, dedication, and the land itself.
So whether you’re marching in the parade, soaking in the saltwater baths, sampling rich reds in a candlelit cellar, or simply watching village life unfold from a shady terrace, the festival has one clear message: in Egerszalók, there’s always a reason to return—and never a shortage of great wine. Just don’t be surprised if you leave already planning your next visit.
Organizers reserve the right to alter the date or program should the need arise.
