Crown Estates of Hungary

Crown Estates of Hungary, is the only major wine company in the region that is in 100% Hungarian ownership. The company owns 80 hectares of vineyard which include the former Royal Estate Szarvas, Kirárly in Mád, and Szentvér in Tolcsva. The Company makes Sweet Aszú wines which are made using winemaking techniques dating back to the 17th century. A base wine is made in September from good quality grapes. From mid October raisin-like, sugar rich Aszú grapes are hand picked into ‘puttony’ tubs and are lightly crushed. 5 ‘puttony’ (25 kg) of Aszú grapes are then added per 136 litres of base wine which then undergoes a maceration and second fermentation. The wine is then aged in small oak barrels for a minimum of 4 years and a further 9 months in bottle before release.