Every year, on the last weekend of July, the hills near Gyöngyös (Gyöngyös) come alive for the Farkasmály Wine Courtyard (Farkasmály Borudvar)—a pop-up festival created by passionate winemakers and food lovers. Born from the dream of the owner of Dominium Winery (Dominium Pincészet), this festival has quickly become the liveliest, most wine-soaked event in the Mátra, designed for those who love quality wine, mouth-watering food, good music, and a sparkling summer atmosphere.
The 2025 edition takes place July 25–26, bringing together four local wineries who serve their finest bottles in honor of the region’s rich heritage. But this isn’t just another wine tasting—it’s a full-on experience where vines, music, and nighttime adventure unite in the shadowy, atmospheric cellars carved beneath the hills.
Cellar Tours, Stories, and Smashed Burgers
A major highlight here is the historical wine cellar tour. These aren’t your typical cellars; they’re cave-like passages steeped in centuries of folklore. The guided tour (about $13.70 per person) takes you through the mysterious “hole cellar” system (lyukpince), where the cold stone walls have absorbed stories for over 200 years, and each wine tasting comes paired with a different slice of local history. Tickets can be reserved in advance via email or purchased right at the festival’s information booth.
On the food front, the gastro courtyard raises the bar each year—think craft flatbreads, juicy Mátra-style “flat pies” (lepény), and burgers far beyond the ordinary. The Burger Boyzz food truck is rolling in with their legendary smashed burgers. Don’t miss the artisanal cheeses either, perfect for pairing with a glass (or two) from the wineries.
Let the Party Begin: Music Lineup
Friday, July 25, kicks off at 5pm. Catch the Mátra Guszti & Ati Szőke (Szőke Ati) duo at 6pm with evergreen hits, followed by the popular guided cellar tour at 7pm. At 8:30pm, Focus Band brings high energy and an eclectic set of retro Hungarian and international favorites, plus rock ‘n’ roll and wedding classics for every taste. When 10pm hits, DJ Petro—a local legend—keeps spirits and feet moving till close.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 5pm with Dan Miller & Gábor Nagy (Nagy Gábor). The wild ride continues at 7pm with Dos Diavolos, a blues duo featuring Ganxsta Zolee’s surprising turn on guitar and vocals alongside raw, delta-inspired licks by Vilko Takács (Takács Vilko). Forget hip-hop: this is gritty, hard-hitting blues about love, booze, loss, and smuggling. At 8pm, another round of the cellar tour pairs history with pours. Then, Radio Live Party Band (9pm) launches into 50 years of anthems—expect everything from Elvis and Madonna to KFT and Ed Sheeran. Finally, DJ Gomez takes over at 10:30pm, ready to spin everything from Latin Nights to festival-tested party hits.
The Heart of the Mátra’s Wine
Featured winemakers: Ákos Winery (Ákos Pince), Bárdos Winery (Bárdos Pincészet), Dominium Winery (Dominium Pincészet), and Mátyás Szőke Winery (Szőke Mátyás Pincészet). This is small-batch, hands-on wine straight from the volcanic hills. Some wineries even offer interactive tastings (up to two hours!) and custom tours, including vineyard visits, team-building activities among the vines, and private dinner experiences in historic barrel-vaulted cellars dating back to the 1800s.
Farkasmály itself is a former entertainment quarter of Gyöngyös (Gyöngyös), transformed today into a hub of historic cellars, grill terraces, and wine-tasting nooks. Here, you can sample a dazzling variety of crisp whites and full-bodied reds, all in a UNESCO-worthy labyrinth—the largest hand-carved cellar in Central and Eastern Europe.
Tickets, Drinks, and Getting Around
Day tickets go for about $6.85, while a two-day pass is $12.30. Festival-branded glassware can be picked up at the information booth for $4.10 (or a recyclable cup for $2.75, refundable if you return it). The exclusive festival currency is the “Zseton,” easily exchanged on-site.
Getting there couldn’t be easier: free festival buses run both days from Gyöngyös (Gyöngyös), with regular returns at 11pm. For a magical twist, hop the Mátra mini-train’s (Mátravasút) special 11:15pm ride back through the moonlit forests—tickets are simply purchased from the conductor. Adventurers can bike or walk from Gyöngyös (Gyöngyös) or Mátrafüred (Mátrafüred), just a mile or so away, soaking in the nature along the way. And for those who prefer comfort, festival-partner Gyöngyös Taxi offers rides at a fixed rate of about $8.20 within the town.
More Than Just a Festival
Add in guesthouse (panzió) accommodation for wine-touring visitors, from intimate eight-room lodges to full-scale winemaker dinners. Whether you’re chasing party anthems, wandering through smoky cellar corridors, or discovering volcanic terroir in a glass, Farkasmály Wine Courtyard (Farkasmály Borudvar) wraps the best of the Mátra into one wild July weekend.
Dates and programs may change, so keep an eye out for updates—but miss this festival, and you’ll miss the brightest weekend the Mátra has to offer.
