WINE REGION

EGER WINE REGION

The climate of this wine region is rather cool, and it is duly represented in the wines’ character, namely in their exciting acidity, rich aromas, not overpoweringly present tannins and their elegance.
None of these would be realized if Eger did not have a soil so fundamentally rich in character. It is complex and varied.

Here the lower layer rhyolite tuff of volcanic origin dominates, and is covered by hard, deep brown soil rich in clay. Moreover, composition of the soil in the slopes and vineyards is breathtakingly colourful and unique, where lime, slate, zeolite, marl and sandstone, or a combination of these can be found, giving the wine a strong character.

The composition of the soil plays a vast role in creating a fine aroma and determines the structure of the wine.

Accordingly, slopes with different compositions of soil make it possible to produce different, uniquely characteristic wines.
For example, wine produced on thinner soil of volcanic origin will be richer in minerals, will have a more determined structure and will be more rustic, while those produced on thick, clay-rich soil tend to be fuller-bodied. Varied and wonderful! Not only the wines but also the landscape of the region.

Nagy-Eged-hegy, the highest grape-producing hill of Hungary can be found here. With its height of 501 metres, uniquely lime-rich soil and south-facing exposure, it is predestined to be a birthplace of great wines. Right next to it, on the side of Kis-Eged-Mount, a 30-million-year-old grape leaf fossil, the “Vitis Hungarica” was found.

OUR GRAPES
ST. ANDREA WINE ESTATE GROWS WINE IN FOUR DIFFERENT LOCALITIES, IN NINE DIFFERENT VINEYARDS AND SLOPES. IN MOST OF THESE TERROIRS WE CAN FIND VOLCANIC REMAINS OF RHYOLITE TUFF. THE TOP LAYERS ARE OF DIFFERENT DEPTHS AND DENSITY BUT IN MOST CASES CONTAIN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF CLAY.
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MAGYALOS
EGERSZALÓK
This slope can be found in the north of Egerszalók. It has a deep, solid, clay-rich soil sitting on top of rhyolite tuff. It has a height above sea level of approximately 230 metres. It has southern, south-eastern exposure. Our area is 2.9 hectares. Varieties: Kadarka, Kékfrankos, Merlot. Number of vines: 6,200/ ha
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PAP-TAG
EGERSZALÓK
It can be found in the middle of Egerszalók. Its soil is deep, solid and clay-rich, on top of rhyolite tuff. It is on a top, facing south, south-west. The area is 5.1ha, with varieties of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Rhine Riesling, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Menoir, Merlot, Kékfrankos, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Number of vines: 6,200/ha
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FERENC-HEGY
EGERSZALÓK
Ferenc-hegy is one of Egerszalók’s emblematic slopes located on top of rhyolite tuff. Its soil lacks nutrients and is thinner, which gives its wines a nice and elegant light-bodiedness. Height above sea level: approx. 240m, facing east, south-east. The area we own is 3.0ha. Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Kékfrankos. Number of vines: 6,200/ha
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KOVÁSZÓ
EGERSZALÓK
Its top soil is similar to that of Ferenc Hill, has a thin top layer, rich in clay and lean. It is a plateau, slightly leaning into a northern direction. Its height above sea level is about 220m. The area is 0.3ha. Variety: Chardonnay. Number of vines:10,000/ha
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BOLDOGSÁGOS
EGERSZÓLÁT
Nearby Egerszólát there is a 13-million-year-old rhyolite tuff spillage, which was layered by gravel and continental clay during the mid-Miocene. A lower layer of tuff can be found, covered in thin clay-rich soil. It faces south, south-east, with a maximum height of about 220m. Our plot is a 5,4 ha area. Varieties are: Hárslevelű, Furmint, Leányka, Welschriesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Sauvignin Blanc. Number of vines: 6,200/ha
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KIS-EGED
EGER
It is situated on top of Oligocene deep-sea creations, marl clay of Kiscell and Eger. The soil which is slightly acidic, with some slate and tuff, lacking humus but abundant in minerals produces especially tasty wines. It faces east. The area is 0.8ha with varieties of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt. The number of vines is 6,000-9,000/ha.
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NAGY-EGED-HEGY
EGER
Nagy-Eged-hegy’s rock is unique: instead of rhyolite tuff, it sits on grey limestone from the Triassic era. From the sea, a clay-based yellowish-whitish sediment called nummulite clay was deposited on top of this base. This is the most characteristic component of Nagy-Eged-hegy’s undersoil today. Its top soil is thin rendzina. The slope has an outstanding microclimate. As the sun’s rays reach the surface in a near 90-degree angle, the rocky limestone reflects them, heating up the temperature above the soil by several degrees centigrade. Here spring comes early. The steep, south-facing slopes and relatively thin top layer make rainwater run down quickly, creating a moderately dry hillside. Area: 6.5ha. Varieties: Kékfrankos, Kadarka, Csóka, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Furmint. Number of vines: 6,200-10,000/ha
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NAGY-EGED
EGER
The area belonging to the base, the “skirt” of Nagy-Eged-hegy provides a rare limestone base for its top soil which is rich in hummus. The area is 5.0ha. Varieties: Kékfrankos, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Hárslevelű. Number of vines: 4,000/ha
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Hangács
Demjén
An extremely diverse cropping site belonging to the Demjén village, in the middle of which there is a valley. Overall, its exposure is southern.. The highest point is the Messzelátó roof, which is 220 meters high. It bears a thin, clayey fruit layer on a strongly tufa subsoil, its wines are exciting, with a strong rustic flavor and a tight structure. Our area: 17.5 hectares. Our grape varieties: kékfrankos, kadarka, merlot, pinot noir, cabernet franc, lime leaf, sauvignon blanc. Number of stocks: 5000 stock/hectare. The method of cultivation is medium height Guyot cultivation.
EGERSZALÓK
BESIDES BEAUTIFUL VINEYARDS, CHARMING HILL-SLOPES, FISHING LAKE, BEEHIVE STONES AND STONE CAVES EGERSZALÓK POSSESSES THE EXCEPTIONAL TREASURE, THERMAL WATER. FOR THIS REASON IT IS ONE OF THE VILLAGES OF HUNGARY WITH SUPERLATIVE GIVENS.
At the area of Egerszalók vine-growing area more than 350 hectares of vineyards are cultivated. Nowadays, viticulture is the most determined agricultural products of the community. Numerous families are occupied in wine-production and wine tourism. Egerszalók’s real attraction, on the southern side of the village, is the thermal spring erupting from deep in the earth and limestone hill created by water runoff, which over the years has come to be known as “salt hill.” The 65-68 C◦ medicinal water rich in mineral content continually builds jagged, white formations, offering an imposing spectacle. The medicinal water of calcium magnesium hydrogen carbonate also contains sodium and a significant amount of metasilicic acid, and has been ranked as one of the best in the sulphuric medicinal waters category. Over the years, the limestone hill has become a symbol and trademark of the surrounding area. It’s a sight unique to Europe, with similar natural formations found only in two other places in the world, at Pamukkale in the Asian part of Turkey and in Yellowstone National Park in the United States.Since the 18th century, Egerszalók has been the place of healing. The pilgrimages started after the miraculous healing of a blind girl. “According to the remembrance, a blind girl found the picture of Maria in tekse-szalóki cru, who regained her eyesight. After this, further miraculous recoveries were happened. For proving the authenticity, Barkóczy Ferenc, Bishop of Eger ordained a legitimate examination in 1755. … Therefore it was proved, that “ many seriously ill, already abandoned by doctors, turned to Virgin Mary in Egerszalók, restored to health promptly. Others who suffered from corporal necessities the desired abatement of pain was found at this place.” There was a church in the village in the Middle Ages, the baroque church, which can be seen today, was built in 1738 according to the plans of the Italian architect, Giovanni Battista Carlone. The greatest wealth of the church is the devotional picture of the Virgin Mary and a wooden rococo statue of the Virgin Mary from the 18th century. Pope Clement XIII.gave the permit for 3 patronal festivals for ever to Egerszalók: the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary – 25th March, the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order – 16th July, liturgical feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 8th September. These days, the Egerszalók Youth’s Meeting and Spiritual Exercises arranged annually, has a very important role. With its 1500 participants can be called one of the greatest catholic youth’s meeting in Hungary.

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