The colder months are slowly sneaking up on us, but as Hungary features many open-air wine-fueled gastronomical gatherings in early autumn, we don’t have to let go of the sweet summer-festival feelings just yet. We can enjoy many alfresco jamborees featuring live tunes while drinking the delicious libations of prestigious Magyar wine manufacturers and exceptional international merchants, while tasting fine gastro treats and admiring cultural and culinary programs amid splendid open-air settings in and around Budapest – just join any of these four fun wine festivals held in early September.
Vingardium Borliget
This brand-new event, organized at Erzsébetliget in District XVI, is not just a wine festival in the traditional sense, as apart from the various delectable drinks awaiting visitors, countless colorful programs and presentations turn this two-day-long event into a family festival. The jolly jamboree kicks off on Friday afternoon, as a relaxation garden awaits guests with pallet furniture, suspended beds, a spacious grassy square, and kids’ programs, creating a cozy picnic atmosphere; visitors can climb aboard a huge interactive artistic construction, Hintayo, and seesaw with some 50-70 people at the same time, or admire a fantastic photo wall. The gastro park’s gates will be wide open throughout the festival, offering the finest delectable delicacies, such as street food, handicrafts, gastro specialties, and traditional and modern Hungarian flavors. As the sun sinks behind the hills, creative light painting makes the garden gleam, and visitors can sip on the various tasty wines of the different cellars, while walking amid the astonishing ambience of the festival – by the end of the night, your Wingardium Leviosa charm might even make some objects levitate in your eyes.
Date: September 2-3
Price: Entry to the festival is free, but wines can only be tasted in Vingardium’s own cup (1,600 HUF; 1,300 for district residents in possession of a residency card) that comes with two wine-tasting coupons and a wristband that is required for a few of the programs.
How to get there: Take bus 276E to the “Mátyásföld Imre utca” stop.More informationBudafok Champagne and Wine Festival
Commonly referred to as “Cellar Town”, Budafok is a serene suburb situated in District XXII, on the riverfront of south Buda. Every year, the Champagne and Wine Festival shakes up the calm community, enticing everyone out onto the cobblestoned streets, spacious squares, and green parks for an intoxicating weekend of devouring a variety of delicious wines. A number of wine cellars open up stands awaiting guests with samples of their best bottles at various venues around the neighborhood, while the air is filled with succulent smells sneaking out of street-food stalls, and live concerts of local bands entertain the cheerful crowds. The highlight of this exceptional extravaganza is definitely the open day at Budafok’s world-famous Törley sparkling-wine distillery, where guided tours present the process of sparkling-wine production, and the 134-year-long history of the Hungarian champagne factory, amid 20-m2-large ornate Zsolnay ceramic pictures. Besides the festival’s regular Wine Garden, Champagne Square, and Fröccs Terrace, this year wine-enthusiasts can also devour precious drops at a new location, at Piac Square.
Date: September 3-4
Price: Free
How to get there: Take tram 47 from Deák Ferenc Square to “Savoyai Jenő tér” stop.More informationAutumn Etyek Picnic
The picturesquely rustic wine village of Etyek – found about 30 km west of Budapest – is full of excellent boutique wineries, and friendly and small family manufacturers set amid wonderfully green vineyards. The region mostly produces crisp white wines, and some of the country’s best Pinot Noir. This adorable bijou village hosts homey picnics four times a year, aiming to present the top wines and gastronomic treasures typical of each season. The autumn picnic, happening on September 3-4 at Újhegy (New Hill), welcomes visitors from all over the world with delicious wines, flavorful dishes, family programs, outdoor cooking, and fantastic folk concerts. Guests can stroll the unpaved roads of Újhegy, stepping in the various cellars to try the distinctive essences of each, amid the musty aroma of oak barrels mildly mingling in the air with the tantalizing bouquet of wines.
Date: September 3-4
Price: Free
How to get there: Take the shuttle bus 760 from Kelenföld to the “Etyek autóbusz forduló” station.More informationBudapest Wine Festival
Hungary’s grandest wine get-together turns 25 years old this year, awaiting guests with an abundant assortment of award-winning Hungarian and exceptional international wines amid the breathtaking setting of the Buda Castle for four days. Aside various winning wines of the Vinagora International Wine Competition, guests can also sip on the prominent products of Hungary’s remarkable wine regions, such as fruity Furmints from the Tokaj region, Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood) red blends, or elegant Pinot Noir from Eger, as well as palatable Prosecco from Italy, and even historic potables from Georgia. Apart from intoxicating tasting adventures, plenty of cultural, culinary, and musical programs also await visitors, such as a Harvest Parade – a folk music and dance gala – an international cheese contest, and stands full of tempting treats, such as chimney cakes, coffee concoctions, burgers, and macarons.
Date: September 8-11
Price: Daily ticket: before September 1st: 2,500 HUF, after September 1st: 3,000 HUF; for 4,650 HUF guests can purhcase a combo ticket with a one day pass for the Wine Festival, and an entrance ticket for the Hungarian National Gallery Modigliani exhibition.
How to get there: Take bus 16 from Deák Ferenc Square to the “Dísz tér” Stop More information
