SZieGL
HAJÓS-BAJA | HUNGARY
Sziegl Pince began with a simple belief: that the future of Hungarian wine lies in rediscovering its roots.
In 2012, Petra and Balázs Sziegl — young, wine-obsessed and freshly graduated — received a small vineyard parcel and a borrowed barrel. What started as an experiment quickly became a calling. Today, they farm nine hectares around Hajós-Baja, working organically and entirely by hand, guided by a desire to preserve old vines and local varieties.
Balázs, trained in viticulture with a deep focus on Kadarka, leads the vineyards; Petra, a winemaker by training, shapes the wines in the cellar. Together, they follow a minimal-intervention approach — spontaneous fermentations, no additives, no filtration — allowing each wine to speak clearly of its origin.
Their wines are rooted in tradition yet quietly progressive, offering a pure, honest expression of place — clean, elegant and refined — with a focus on Hungarian varieties like Kadarka, Olaszrizling, Kékfrankos, and Kövidinka.
A beautifully pure and expressive nose, opening with lifted floral notes, ripe peach and a gentle honeyed touch, underpinned by a subtle flinty minerality. The palate is generous yet energetic, with a well-defined structure and a lively freshness enhanced by a light touch of CO₂, adding lift rather than distraction. A thoughtful, well-composed blend with real depth and a long, persistent finish — a standout wine with both precision and presence.
Winemaker | Petra & Balázs Sziegl
Region | Hajós / Érsekhalma, Hungary
Variety | 50% Welschriesling, 25% Riesling, 25% Hárslevelű
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | Limestone, loess, sand / clay
Alcohol | 13.3%
VINIFICATION
Harvested over 7–8 passes, primarily from younger vineyard parcels. Earlier picks were whole-bunch pressed, while later harvests saw gentle foot-treading and short soaking. Around 55–60% fermented and aged in 500L oak barrels, with a small portion in ceramic amphora and the remainder in tank. Blended before bottling, unfined, unfiltered, and bottled with lees with minimal sulphur.
Clean and inviting aromatic orange wine, showing black tea, delicate spice and a clear mineral edge that speaks of its origin. The palate is concentrated and textured, with a rounded weight balanced by freshness and a gently savoury character. The finish is medium in length, carried by its mineral backbone. A compelling and confident interpretation of Kövidinka, showing both character and clarity, with structure softening slightly and harmonising further after opening.
Winemaker | Petra & Balázs Sziegl
Region | Hajós, Hungary
Variety | Kövidinka
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | Limestone, loess, sand
Alcohol | 13.5%
VINIFICATION
Harvested in two phases in early September. The first portion underwent whole-bunch fermentation under juice for 5 days, while the second was direct pressed and fermented in 500L oak barrels. Aged on lees, bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without any added sulphur
A deeper, more structured expression of Kadarka, showing the warm vintage and the grape’s darker, more serious side without losing its innate charm. The nose brings sour cherry, wild strawberry, and subtle spice, with a hint of earthiness. The palate is rounded and composed, with structured, fine tannins, juicy red fruit, and a gentle savoury edge giving an easy, approachable flow. Still light on its feet, but with added depth and presence — a compelling, characterful take on this historic variety.
Winemaker | Petra & Balázs Sziegl
Region | Hajós, Hungary
Variety | Kadarka
Viticulture | Organic
Soil | Loess and sand
Alcohol | 13%
VINIFICATION
From the Mandulás parcel in the Herreberg vineyard, planted with thicker-skinned, looser-cluster Kadarka. Harvested in two passes. Fermented in a closed tank using carbonic maceration. After pressing, aged for 5 months in a mix of 225L and 500L oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal sulphur.