In the village of Gyöngyöstarján in Hungary’s Mátra region, third-generation winemaker Péter Benedek carries on his family’s legacy in his grandfather’s original cellar, along with the assistance of his parents, who help care for the vineyards.

Over time, the family has expanded the estate vineyards from 1.5 to 17 hectares. Varieties include Cserszegi Fuszeres, Hárslevelű, Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir and more.

The Mátra wine region is located in northern Hungary at the foot of the Mátra Mountains. Sheltered by the mountains, the region enjoys a moderately cool continental climate, with warm, sunny summers and crisp autumns that allow grapes to ripen slowly, preserving fresh acidity and aromatic intensity. Annual sunshine hours are high, yet cooling breezes from the hills help retain balance in the wines.

Soils are predominantly volcanic in origin, with andesite and tuff providing excellent drainage and mineral richness, complemented by patches of loess and clay. This combination contributes to wines with both structure and vibrant flavour profiles.

Mátra is best known for its fragrant white wines from varieties such as Irsai Olivér, Cserszegi Fűszeres, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling, which express floral, citrus, and stone fruit aromas alongside a characteristic minerality. Reds, though less common, are made from Kékfrankos, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc, often light to medium-bodied with bright fruit.

Wine styles range from crisp, youthful whites to more complex, barrel-aged examples, as well as fresh, fruity rosés. The overall flavour profile reflects the region’s volcanic terroir: pure, aromatic, and mineral-driven wines with excellent freshness and food-pairing versatility.

Blaufränkisch, also known as Kékfrankos in Hungary, is a dark-skinned grape variety originating from Central Europe, with its earliest documented cultivation in Austria during the Middle Ages. Today, it is widely grown in Austria’s Burgenland, Hungary’s Sopron and Eger regions, and parts of Germany (as Lemberger), as well as in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and select vineyards in the United States and Australia.

Viticulturally, Blaufränkisch is a late-ripening variety, requiring warm conditions to achieve full phenolic ripeness. It is vigorous, with relatively high yields if not managed carefully, and is susceptible to downy mildew and botrytis, demanding attentive canopy management.

The grape produces wines with deep colour, pronounced acidity, and firm tannins, making it suitable for both varietal bottlings and blends. Styles range from youthful, juicy reds with vibrant cherry and blackberry fruit to more structured, oak-aged expressions showing dark plum, spice, and earthy undertones. In cooler climates, it often displays peppery notes and a leaner frame, while warmer sites yield riper, more opulent wines.

Blaufränkisch is valued for its ability to reflect terroir, and top examples can age gracefully, developing complex aromas of dried fruit, tobacco, and forest floor. Its combination of freshness, spice, and structure has earned it a growing international following among lovers of distinctive, characterful reds.