Vineyards
Etyek’s potential for Burgundy varieties and sparkling wines is undeniable.
The cool climate, limestone-rich soils, thin-skinned clones, and vibrant base wines all bear witness to this.
The Etyek terroir
The ancient Pannonian Sea covered Etyek until around five and a half million years ago, with only the ridge of the Buda Hills rising above the water. As the sea receded, layers of limestone and marl rich in shells and gastropod fossils were left behind, later draped by fine loess deposits.
The chalky, fossil-rich soils – much like those of Champagne – give the wines crisp acidity and a salty, mineral edge, while the loess contributes roundness and fullness.
Combined with the region’s cool climate, these conditions resonate particularly well with three grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
Limestone profile with ancient shell traces
A patchwork of sites
The thirteen-hectare estate consists of four distinct parcels. Each is planted exclusively with Burgundy clones and – apart from one exception – includes all three key varieties.
Because of the differing growing conditions, each variety is harvested at least four times. The result: radically distinct lots that clearly express the site’s diversity.
Roughly eighty percent of the work takes place in the vineyard. From pruning to yield control, every step is dedicated to the health of the fruit. This ensures that only perfect grapes reach the cellar, allowing intervention to remain minimal.
The goal each year remains the same: to preserve as much as possible of the harvest’s explosive flavours.
The initial pruning of a newly grafted vineyard