Szent Donát Estate
Csopak is one of the world-class terroirs of Lake Balaton where the diversity of soils, climate and timeless viticulture create unique wines. Mineral clays, chalk and volcanic soils give different characters.
Our aim is to show this diversity through a narrow range of authentic grapes: Olaszrizling, Furmint and Kékfrankos. Therefore, we respect old vineyards and save their grapes for vineyard and soil selections. Natural yeast, slow winemaking and gentle aging are all key elements to preserve their uniqueness.
Our estate has about 12 ha vineyards in 10 different crus around Csopak, Tihany and Kál. Our Olaszrizling and Furmint vineyards in Csopak are based on Permian red sandstone and Triassic marl soils, while in Kál on a rich and exciting mixture of volcanic and dolomite soils. The extinct volcano Tihany with its lovely crater lakes and geyser fields are the most suitable home to our Kékfrankos vineyards.
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2 Responses
[…] Szent Donát Winery was founded in 2001, but the father’s side of the family has lived in Csopak for more than 200 years, and they have been cultivating the grapes first of all Olaszrizling. Now it comes from 6 hectars having the biggest portion of our sortiment. Its ideal yield for excellent quality is 1-1,5 kilo per stock. The summer in 2015 was hot with high yields, balanced wines with nice content were produced. On lime soil Olaszrizling produces the caracteristics of the variety like salty, minerality, citrus, green apple, tight acid structure, nice content, outstanding balance. […]
[…] Szent Donát Estate‘s Meszes is 100% Olaszrizling from the Szitahegy and Nagykút Vineyards of Csopak, wich are rich in lime (the basic rocks are marl and limestone) and give the wine a strong mineral character. The vines are 15-30 years old. It was fermented with natural yeasts in used barrels and stainless steel tanks, so as maturation for 5-6 mounth. Nice acidity on the palate comes with a citrus note, a hint of almond, apple and sweet spices from the short oak aging. Great balance, excellent structure. […]