Wine and gastronomy at Somló
Hegykapu restaurant
Probably the best-known restaurant in Somló due to its central location as the name suggests, you can't miss it. It is characterized by classic Hungarian dishes and large portions, all at an affordable price. Of course, you can taste the wines of many local wineries in their cozy garden.
Kreinbacher estate
The estate itself is an architectural masterpiece that is definitely worth a visit. The restaurant is worth visiting for several reasons, even just for a glass of wine or the famous Kreinbacher champagne. The furnishings and interior design are extremely sophisticated, in an industrial style. The wines are excellent, and the champagne recognized worldwide, as evidenced by numerous international awards. Recently, the restaurant also received prestgious recognition in the form of a Michelin recommendation. The prices are high compared to the restaurants in the area, but those looking for fine dining will find excellent value for money.
Tornai winery
The largest and one of the oldest wineries on the hill with its own restaurant. In good weather, you can enjoy your meals on the open terrace, or indoors in bad weather. The terrace offers a wonderful view of the vineyard.
Inhauser winery and restaurant
Although it is located on the opposite side of the mountain from us, the winery and restaurant of István Inhauser is worth a little gastronomic tour either on foot or by car. As a master chef, István traveled all over the world, cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in Hungary and abroad. In his restaurant, he created fusion cuisine, in which he combines the dishes and flavors of different nations with traditional cuisine.
Spiegelberg wine terrace
This wine terrace with a wonderful atmosphere and panorama is located a few meters from the St. Margaret's Chapel, where the French chansons playing in the background set the real mood. You can taste István Spiegelberg's excellent own wines here, with a good chance of being served by the host himself.
Bazalt wine terrace
There is also a very cozy wine terrace near the castle on the eastern side of Somló. It's worth stopping by for the panoramic view if you get hungry for some snacks or refreshments during your trip, and of course you can also taste the offerings of many local cellars here.
Somlói wine shop
It has perhaps the largest selection in Hungary of not only Somlói wines, but also specifically volcanic wines from all over the world. In addition to shopping, you can also taste the wines on the cozy terrace.
Wineries
It is difficult to list the many excellent wineries located in Somló. The largest in size are the Kreinbacher estate, Tornai winery, Bogdán winery and Fehérvár wine estate. In addition to the big ones, many smaller and medium-sized wineries enhance the reputation of Somló wines, without claiming to be exhaustive: Kolonics pince, Fekete Pince, Somlói Vándor, Györgykovács pince, Bálint Barcza, Csordás Fodor Borház, Zászló-Varsádi cellar, Somlói Apátsági Pince and many others, like Us hopefully soon too :) It is important to know that not all wineries are open at all times, it is worth checking beforehand, especially in the case of smaller wineries.
Typical grape varieties of Somló
Juhfark: The name of Somló has now become almost synonymous with Juhfark, which got its name from the shape of the grape bunches resembling a sheep's tail (Juhfark = Sheep's tail). The wine made from it is also called the wine of weddings, based on an old legend. It is said that the Habsurgs and other nobles drank wine made from Somlói Juhfark in the hope of having a male offspring. It is considered an ancient Hungarian variety, in any case, it is only cultivated in Hungary.
Hárslevelű: Also an ancient Hungarian variety, related to furmint. The origin of the name of the variety is no longer so clear (Hárslevelű = Linden leafed), in any case it is characterized by floral notes, mainly linden blossom, linden honey and chestnut.
Furmint: The origin of the variety is the famous Tokaj wine region, there are mentions of it as early as the 16th - 17th centuries. It can also be used as a dry white wine and as a base for sparkling wine. Of course, the largest area is cultivated in Tokaj, followed by Somló.
Tramini: A very old, probably Western European variety. It is also grown in France, Germany and Austria, as well as in several wine regions in Hungary. Its clusters are small, thick-skinned, and typically have a red, bluish tint.
Olaszrizling:One of the most popular varieties in Hungary, it has Central or Western European roots. In our country, it is grown in the highest proportion in the Balaton highlands, but it is also a dominant variety in Somló. It is a neutral variety and can be made into wine in many styles. Interesting fact that the name in Hungarian means "Italian riesling" though the garpe doesn't have anything to do with Italy or riesling.
Somlói(?) galuska (Hungarian Dessert Dumplings)
We thought it was worth mentioning because, due to its name, many people think it has something to do with the wine region, but this is far from reality. In fact, the name Somló stuck to it because of a typo. Perhaps Hungary's most famous dessert was presented at the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels. Its creator was master confectioner Béla Szőcs, but the idea came from Károly Gollerits, the head waiter of Gundel Restaurant at the time. It got its name from the Somlyó hill near Fót, near which Béla Szőcs lived. At the world exhibition, someone accidentally left the "y" from Somlyói, which is how it went down in confectionery history as Somlói galuska.
Probably the best-known restaurant in Somló due to its central location as the name suggests, you can't miss it. It is characterized by classic Hungarian dishes and large portions, all at an affordable price. Of course, you can taste the wines of many local wineries in their cozy garden.
Kreinbacher estate
The estate itself is an architectural masterpiece that is definitely worth a visit. The restaurant is worth visiting for several reasons, even just for a glass of wine or the famous Kreinbacher champagne. The furnishings and interior design are extremely sophisticated, in an industrial style. The wines are excellent, and the champagne recognized worldwide, as evidenced by numerous international awards. Recently, the restaurant also received prestgious recognition in the form of a Michelin recommendation. The prices are high compared to the restaurants in the area, but those looking for fine dining will find excellent value for money.
Tornai winery
The largest and one of the oldest wineries on the hill with its own restaurant. In good weather, you can enjoy your meals on the open terrace, or indoors in bad weather. The terrace offers a wonderful view of the vineyard.
Inhauser winery and restaurant
Although it is located on the opposite side of the mountain from us, the winery and restaurant of István Inhauser is worth a little gastronomic tour either on foot or by car. As a master chef, István traveled all over the world, cooking in Michelin-starred restaurants in Hungary and abroad. In his restaurant, he created fusion cuisine, in which he combines the dishes and flavors of different nations with traditional cuisine.
Spiegelberg wine terrace
This wine terrace with a wonderful atmosphere and panorama is located a few meters from the St. Margaret's Chapel, where the French chansons playing in the background set the real mood. You can taste István Spiegelberg's excellent own wines here, with a good chance of being served by the host himself.
Bazalt wine terrace
There is also a very cozy wine terrace near the castle on the eastern side of Somló. It's worth stopping by for the panoramic view if you get hungry for some snacks or refreshments during your trip, and of course you can also taste the offerings of many local cellars here.
Somlói wine shop
It has perhaps the largest selection in Hungary of not only Somlói wines, but also specifically volcanic wines from all over the world. In addition to shopping, you can also taste the wines on the cozy terrace.
Wineries
It is difficult to list the many excellent wineries located in Somló. The largest in size are the Kreinbacher estate, Tornai winery, Bogdán winery and Fehérvár wine estate. In addition to the big ones, many smaller and medium-sized wineries enhance the reputation of Somló wines, without claiming to be exhaustive: Kolonics pince, Fekete Pince, Somlói Vándor, Györgykovács pince, Bálint Barcza, Csordás Fodor Borház, Zászló-Varsádi cellar, Somlói Apátsági Pince and many others, like Us hopefully soon too :) It is important to know that not all wineries are open at all times, it is worth checking beforehand, especially in the case of smaller wineries.
Typical grape varieties of Somló
Juhfark: The name of Somló has now become almost synonymous with Juhfark, which got its name from the shape of the grape bunches resembling a sheep's tail (Juhfark = Sheep's tail). The wine made from it is also called the wine of weddings, based on an old legend. It is said that the Habsurgs and other nobles drank wine made from Somlói Juhfark in the hope of having a male offspring. It is considered an ancient Hungarian variety, in any case, it is only cultivated in Hungary.
Hárslevelű: Also an ancient Hungarian variety, related to furmint. The origin of the name of the variety is no longer so clear (Hárslevelű = Linden leafed), in any case it is characterized by floral notes, mainly linden blossom, linden honey and chestnut.
Furmint: The origin of the variety is the famous Tokaj wine region, there are mentions of it as early as the 16th - 17th centuries. It can also be used as a dry white wine and as a base for sparkling wine. Of course, the largest area is cultivated in Tokaj, followed by Somló.
Tramini: A very old, probably Western European variety. It is also grown in France, Germany and Austria, as well as in several wine regions in Hungary. Its clusters are small, thick-skinned, and typically have a red, bluish tint.
Olaszrizling:One of the most popular varieties in Hungary, it has Central or Western European roots. In our country, it is grown in the highest proportion in the Balaton highlands, but it is also a dominant variety in Somló. It is a neutral variety and can be made into wine in many styles. Interesting fact that the name in Hungarian means "Italian riesling" though the garpe doesn't have anything to do with Italy or riesling.
Somlói(?) galuska (Hungarian Dessert Dumplings)
We thought it was worth mentioning because, due to its name, many people think it has something to do with the wine region, but this is far from reality. In fact, the name Somló stuck to it because of a typo. Perhaps Hungary's most famous dessert was presented at the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels. Its creator was master confectioner Béla Szőcs, but the idea came from Károly Gollerits, the head waiter of Gundel Restaurant at the time. It got its name from the Somlyó hill near Fót, near which Béla Szőcs lived. At the world exhibition, someone accidentally left the "y" from Somlyói, which is how it went down in confectionery history as Somlói galuska.
Kreinbacher estate
Inhauser winery and restaurant
Spiegelberg wine terrace | source: spiegelberg.hu
Bazalt wine terrace