The VinAgora Discoveries stand showcases wineries that don't have their own dedicated pavilion at this year's festival, despite their outstanding competition results. These four producers offer a fantastic lineup worth exploring, whether you already know their labels or are discovering them for the first time. Meet these hidden gems at the Halászó Gyerekek (Fishing Children) Terrace.
Fodor Wine Estate – Balatonfüred-Csopak
The story of Fodor Wine Estate began in 1858 in Aszófő, on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Passion for the craft has passed down through generations ever since. Re-established in 1990 by Gyula Fodor and his wife, the family business today sees its fifth and sixth generations working side by side. Their 13-hectare estate yields everything from fresh, crisp bottles to barrel-aged, single-vineyard selections, earning widespread praise across national and international competitions.
Nimfeum Winery – Balaton Uplands
Nimfeum Winery focuses on bottling the unique volcanic character of Badacsony and its centuries-old heritage. Farming five hectares, the estate grows local favorites alongside classic varieties, including Olaszrizling, Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris), Riesling, Zenit, Kékfrankos, and Pinot Noir. Every wine carries a clear impression of the local basalt soils, the Lake Balaton microclimate, and the specific vintage. At the center of the estate stands a historic 150-year-old cellar linked to Bishop Ranolder, seamlessly connecting past and present.
TAR Winery – Pannonhalma
Tar Winery started in 1988 with a single plot of Olaszrizling vines in the Pannonhalma region. Decades of steady expansion followed, growing the estate into an 80-hectare modern operation. They focus primarily on Olaszrizling, Riesling, Irsai Olivér, and Sauvignon Blanc. Based in the Várhegy vineyard of Tényő, the team pairs long-standing experience with modern practices to craft wines that consistently win over consumers and judges alike.
Sipos Wine House – Badacsony
Winemaking has always been a family tradition for the Siposes. One of their great-grandfathers worked as head winemaker for the Prince Esterházy estate in Badacsony until 1945, later continuing on a small plot bought from the state. Following the political transition in 1989, Tihamér Sipos built the foundation for today’s winery around that original plot and small cellar. Over the years, the family expanded their land to 7 hectares and built a modern facility to bring out the very best in their fruit.
For the family, making wine remains a deeply creative, almost sacred process - guided by hard work, faith, and the bottles themselves. They only make wines they love to drink, and every label tells a story, whether inspired by history, a moment of romance, or a good joke.
Gál Vineyards and Winery – Kunság / Balaton Uplands
Viticulturist Csaba Gál and his wife, winemaker Éva Gálné Dignisz, have worked the land together for nearly forty years. Their children, Zsuzsanna and Csaba, joined the business over a decade ago. The winery sources its grapes from family-owned vineyards tucked along the Little Danube in the northern Kunság region.
After winning numerous awards over the years, the family received one of Hungarian winemaking's highest honors in 2013: Éva Gálné Dignisz was named "Winemaker of the Year" - the first woman to earn the title. In recent years, she handed the reins to her son, Csaba Gál Jr., an agronomist, winemaker, and plant protection specialist who continues to build on the family’s high standards.
This year, the winery secured top honors at two major events, taking home the Special Award for "Most Successful Family Winery" at VinAgora and sharing the Traveling Trophy for "Most Successful Winery" at the Hungarian National Wine Competition.
