Style of Sebestyén Winery

“I think our wines have been continually improving, becoming more refined and elegant in the process. They have become more sophisticated, taughter, less oaky and the characteristics of the grapes are more tangible.” – Csilla Sebestyén

“I have a very similar palate to my sister, but of course we sometimes hold different opinions. However, the most important consideration is that the style sought is unquestionably the same, which leads us towards Burgundy.” – Csaba Sebestyén

Technology

The Szekszárd region, which covers 2,300 hectares, is part of the larger Pannonia region and is located in the south of Hungary.

We currently work 12.5 hectares and integrate grapes from another 8-10 hectares every year. Our main grape variety is Kékfrankos, a local grape which provides the backbone of Bikavér.

Our aim is to pick the highest quality grapes every autumn regardless of the climatic conditions that prevail. To achieve this goal, we cultivate the vineyards with the utmost care. We control yields by carrying out shoot selection. In addition to efficient ‘green work’, we carry out plant protection at the most appropriate time.

We consider the specific characteristics of the vintage when we apply bunch selection to the final crop. The optimum harvest date is decided upon after tasting the grapes, which in turn allows us to better ascertain the ripeness of the tannins, though we of course also pay close attention to the lab analytics.

Our grapes are picked strictly by hand, so we are able to select just the healthy bunches. Manual selection is repeated in order to be extra sure of the quality of our work during the winemaking process.

Our white and rosé wines are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks in order to preserve freshness and fruitiness and are subsequently bottled after a short period of ageing.

Our red wines are fermented in open vats after being inoculated with selected yeast and we carry out punching down regularly during fermentation. A short maceration is then followed by the racking of the wines into oak barrels. The malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. The wines are aged for between 12 and 30 months.

Vineyards of Sebestyén Winery

Iván-valley

This valley, the shape of which makes it an excellent site for grape growing, is nicknamed ‘the southern cauldron’. The valley is both southwest- and southeast-facing. In very warm years, the vines have a great advantage in that the valley is not entirely open to the east; therefore the sun’s rays reach the berries in the late morning. Accordingly, the vines have time to rest and the grapes can breathe and carry out the slow but steady acculumulation of sugars.
It can also be called ‘sack valley’ because it is protected from the wind, which can be favourable in cooler years when the berries can ripen from the stored heat.

Its wines are elegant with a long finish.

Varieties: Kadarka, Kékfrankos – Blue Frankish, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Görögszó (Greek word)

The Görögszó is one of the hottest areas of the region and is completely open to the east, so the grapes get the sunlight from the early morning. The choice of the harvest date calls for special attention here because the berries can shrivel by early autumn. The well constructed terraces can hold the rain from summer showers which is absorbed by the excellent water-retaining red clay soils. This water supply can be drawn on by the vines in drought years. The Görögszó is one of the favourite spots for varieties that require lot of sun.

The wines are full-bodied with long ageing potential

Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Nána

The Nána is a cool and windy plateau where the wines have lower alcohol and vibrant acidity, which best represents the elegant style of the Kékfrankos grape.

Kékfrankos is a real princess here!

Szentgál

Szentgál is a cool vineyard, where our grapes grow nicely in all vintages – even after a very hot summer the grapes maintain fresh, crispy acidity.

Zweigelt is a light-bodied, summery fruit bomb here!

Porkoláb-valley

The Porkoláb valley is another cauldron where our plots are mostly planted on the southwest- facing slopes, which means the grapes enjoy the sunshine from sunrise to sunset. Our Kékfrankos, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes are planted on the lower parts of the slope giving them the opportunity to retain firm acidity and moderate alcohol levels every year.
Kadarka is planted on the higher parts to avoid the autumn mists and to protect the grapes against rot.

The wines are very elegant with tangible minerality.

Varieties: Kadarka, Kékfrankos – Blue Frankish, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Wines on Sebestyén Winery on Vinotek.hu