Zöldveltelini (Grüner Veltliner) – Hernyák Birtok

Zöldveltelini is the Hungarian name of Grüner Veltliner, which the neighboring Austrians have gained a reputation for being masterful with. However, in Hungary the potential of this wine hasn’t really been explored yet, and it’s still rare to find a high-quality Hungarian Zöldveltelini. That is why we are so excited about this Hernyák Zöldveltelini! Zöldveltelini has long been one of their signature wines, reflecting the region and the family’s distinctive style of winemaking. The grapes are from the vineyard adjacent to the winery, a small plot located in the heart of Etyek’s beautiful Öreghegy (“old hill”). This is where the Hernyák family settled 30  years ago when they left Yugoslavia to start a new life in Hungary, steadily building their gorgeous estate by hand. 2022 was an optimal year for this wine, allowing for an early-October harvest. Following a gentle pressing and one night of settling, the juice was transferred to second- and third-use oak barrels where the wine fermented and aged for five months before bottling. Zöldveltelini is Tomi Hernyák’s favorite grape, and this one has a richer body and a milder acidity in comparison to the Austrian style. The oak influence is subtle, and there are characteristics of grassiness, bell pepper, fresh herbs, nettles, tropical fruit (like pineapple), lemon zest, and kiwi. It’s a powerful wine with texture, complexity, and a long finish. It carries the signature Etyek acidity (and subtle lime flavor) and what we have come to realize is the Hernyák family’s style, a viscous oily texture. This organic wine is a versatile food wine, which can be a perfect pairing with a range of creamy pasta dishes, shellfish, rich poultry dishes, and roasted chicken, or fried foods.