Harmony and quality

Wine has been made in Kéthely – located south of Lake Balaton – for 300 years. Our magazine interviewed the managing director of Kristinus Wine Estate Florian Zaruba.

My childhood dream brought me to Kéthely. Having spent 20 years in marketing I felt that it was enough and I started to miss nature. Four years ago I visited Somogy County on a hunting trip, came to the Kristinus Wine Estate too and fell in love with it.

At the moment we are growing grapes on 55 hectares and recently we planted 2.5 hectares of furmint grapes. Our top products are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Irsai Olivér, Sárgamuskotály, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Szürkebarát and Kékfrankos.. Kristinus focuses more and more on export, and we think that Irsai Olivér and Kékfrankos can be successful abroad.

We sell several hundred thousand bottles of Kristinus wines a year. Our storage capacity is 1 million litres and this is the target in sales too. We now have enough land to grow grapes on 101 hectares.

Our target group is everyone who likes quality wines and top gastronomy. This is the reason why we communicate in the trade and lifestyle press, and in social media. We regularly update the contents of our own website and online shop, and we keep offering promotions.

Our Gastro Workshop knows no compromises when it comes to ingredient quality, the aesthetics of serving food and dedication to local produce. Our menus are based on Kristinus wines. The degustation menu is made up of seven courses and tells everything that we think about the art of food and cooking. We offer exciting flavours and food combinations in a modern but friendly environment. Our wine estate is the perfect venue for family parties, the gatherings of friends and corporate events.

Visitors can see the cellars and taste our wines, can enjoy horse-drawn carriage tour through the wine estate, play golf, have a romantic picnic, go hiking in the wineyard, or try the spas of the region. (They can use our shuttle service to get there) Hunting. Hunting, top gastronomy programmes and cultural programmes are also available.There is a 10 double room Vinotel in the building of our winery where guests can stay.

It is a big challenge for every winemaker to deliver the required high quality all the time. How products look also matters more and more.

Wine lovers make their choices more consciously than ever before, therefore quality comes first, followed by a good price-value ratio and innovation. (x)