Markvart Winery in Szekszárd is headed by János Márkvárt Jr, a descendant of a Swabian family with deep roots in the region and vineyards that include parcels in Baranya Valley, Sauli Valley, Right Hermit, Bakta and Gyűszű Valley.

The estate was relaunched in 1996 by János and his grandfather, and today covers organic and low-intervention vineyards planted to both native varieties (such as Kékfrankos and old vine Kadarka) and international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.

The region’s historic Bikavér style — literally “Bull’s Blood” — has long been celebrated for its vibrant red fruit, spice and ability to complement hearty cuisine. Markvart’s version demonstrates how a small, family-driven producer can honour heritage while crafting wines with contemporary balance and accessibility.

The Szekszárdi Borvidék, located in southern Hungary, is one of the country’s most historic and highly regarded wine regions. Its climate is predominantly continental, with warm summers and cold winters, though it also benefits from Mediterranean influences that bring long, sunny autumns. These conditions favour the full ripening of red grape varieties, while the occasional risk of spring frost, summer drought, and unpredictable rainfall at harvest pose key challenges for growers.

The region’s soils are varied but dominated by loess, which is prized for its excellent drainage and ability to store heat, contributing to wines of richness and concentration. In some areas, clay and sandy deposits add diversity, while pockets of limestone enhance freshness and minerality.

Szekszárd is best known for its red wines, with Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) forming the backbone of production. It is often crafted into both varietal wines and blends, delivering spicy, vibrant, and structured styles. Kadarka, another historic local grape, thrives here too, producing lighter, perfumed reds with fine acidity. International varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah are also planted, often used in Bordeaux-style blends that show depth and ageing potential.

The wine styles range from elegant, fruit-driven reds to more powerful, oak-aged cuvées. Rosé and, to a lesser extent, white wines are also made, but the focus remains firmly on reds that reflect the region’s warmth and terroir.

The key growing areas are clustered around the town of Szekszárd itself, where gently rolling hills and south-facing slopes create ideal conditions for viticulture. Together, they form a region that combines tradition, quality, and a distinctive Hungarian identity.

Kékfrankos, known internationally as Blaufränkisch, is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Central Europe and regarded as Hungary’s most important red grape. It is thought to have originated in the Pannonian Basin and has long been cultivated across Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and beyond. Its adaptability and expressive character have made it a flagship variety in many quality-focused wine regions.

Viticulturally, Kékfrankos is a late-budding, late-ripening grape, thriving in warm continental climates with long growing seasons. It is vigorous and productive, requiring careful vineyard management to restrain yields and ensure concentration of flavour. Thin skins make it susceptible to rot and fungal diseases in damp conditions, but in well-exposed sites it ripens slowly, retaining refreshing acidity while achieving deep colour and flavour complexity.

Hungary remains the heartland for Kékfrankos, particularly in regions such as Szekszárd and Eger, where it forms the backbone of Bikavér blends. In Austria, where it is known as Blaufränkisch, it is prominent in Burgenland, while plantings are also found in Germany (as Lemberger), Slovakia, Croatia and even overseas in the USA and Australia.

Stylistically, Kékfrankos is versatile. In youth it produces vibrant, medium-bodied wines with bright acidity, supple tannins and aromas of sour cherry, redcurrant and blackberry, often accompanied by subtle spice and earthy undertones. With oak maturation or bottle age, it develops greater depth, gaining notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather and mineral nuances, while retaining freshness. The finest examples combine elegance with structure, offering excellent ageing potential and a clear sense of place.

Distinctive, expressive and increasingly recognised worldwide, Kékfrankos remains a proud ambassador for Central European red wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely planted and celebrated red grape varieties, known for its deep colour, firm tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Originating in Bordeaux, France, as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it has become a global benchmark for structured, full-bodied red wines.

Viticulturally, Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy, late-ripening grape that thrives in warm, sunny climates. It produces small, thick-skinned berries, contributing to its bold tannic structure and deep colour. The vine is relatively resistant to disease and adapts well to diverse soils, making it suitable for a wide range of terroirs.

Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is planted extensively across the world—from its French homeland in Bordeaux’s Left Bank, to California’s Napa Valley, Chile’s Maipo Valley, Australia’s Coonawarra, and South Africa’s Stellenbosch. It often forms the backbone of blends, particularly in Bordeaux-style wines, but also shines as a varietal expression.

Flavour profiles typically include blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, mint, cedar, and tobacco, often developing notes of leather, earth, and spice with age. Styles range from fruit-forward and plush in warmer climates to structured and herbal in cooler ones. Cabernet Sauvignon’s power, elegance, and longevity make it a cornerstone of fine red winemaking worldwide.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.

Kékfrankos, known internationally as Blaufränkisch, is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Central Europe and regarded as Hungary’s most important red grape. It is thought to have originated in the Pannonian Basin and has long been cultivated across Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and beyond. Its adaptability and expressive character have made it a flagship variety in many quality-focused wine regions.

Viticulturally, Kékfrankos is a late-budding, late-ripening grape, thriving in warm continental climates with long growing seasons. It is vigorous and productive, requiring careful vineyard management to restrain yields and ensure concentration of flavour. Thin skins make it susceptible to rot and fungal diseases in damp conditions, but in well-exposed sites it ripens slowly, retaining refreshing acidity while achieving deep colour and flavour complexity.

Hungary remains the heartland for Kékfrankos, particularly in regions such as Szekszárd and Eger, where it forms the backbone of Bikavér blends. In Austria, where it is known as Blaufränkisch, it is prominent in Burgenland, while plantings are also found in Germany (as Lemberger), Slovakia, Croatia and even overseas in the USA and Australia.

Stylistically, Kékfrankos is versatile. In youth it produces vibrant, medium-bodied wines with bright acidity, supple tannins and aromas of sour cherry, redcurrant and blackberry, often accompanied by subtle spice and earthy undertones. With oak maturation or bottle age, it develops greater depth, gaining notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather and mineral nuances, while retaining freshness. The finest examples combine elegance with structure, offering excellent ageing potential and a clear sense of place.

Distinctive, expressive and increasingly recognised worldwide, Kékfrankos remains a proud ambassador for Central European red wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely planted and celebrated red grape varieties, known for its deep colour, firm tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Originating in Bordeaux, France, as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it has become a global benchmark for structured, full-bodied red wines.

Viticulturally, Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy, late-ripening grape that thrives in warm, sunny climates. It produces small, thick-skinned berries, contributing to its bold tannic structure and deep colour. The vine is relatively resistant to disease and adapts well to diverse soils, making it suitable for a wide range of terroirs.

Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is planted extensively across the world—from its French homeland in Bordeaux’s Left Bank, to California’s Napa Valley, Chile’s Maipo Valley, Australia’s Coonawarra, and South Africa’s Stellenbosch. It often forms the backbone of blends, particularly in Bordeaux-style wines, but also shines as a varietal expression.

Flavour profiles typically include blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, mint, cedar, and tobacco, often developing notes of leather, earth, and spice with age. Styles range from fruit-forward and plush in warmer climates to structured and herbal in cooler ones. Cabernet Sauvignon’s power, elegance, and longevity make it a cornerstone of fine red winemaking worldwide.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.

Kékfrankos, known internationally as Blaufränkisch, is a dark-skinned grape variety native to Central Europe and regarded as Hungary’s most important red grape. It is thought to have originated in the Pannonian Basin and has long been cultivated across Hungary, Austria, Slovakia and beyond. Its adaptability and expressive character have made it a flagship variety in many quality-focused wine regions.

Viticulturally, Kékfrankos is a late-budding, late-ripening grape, thriving in warm continental climates with long growing seasons. It is vigorous and productive, requiring careful vineyard management to restrain yields and ensure concentration of flavour. Thin skins make it susceptible to rot and fungal diseases in damp conditions, but in well-exposed sites it ripens slowly, retaining refreshing acidity while achieving deep colour and flavour complexity.

Hungary remains the heartland for Kékfrankos, particularly in regions such as Szekszárd and Eger, where it forms the backbone of Bikavér blends. In Austria, where it is known as Blaufränkisch, it is prominent in Burgenland, while plantings are also found in Germany (as Lemberger), Slovakia, Croatia and even overseas in the USA and Australia.

Stylistically, Kékfrankos is versatile. In youth it produces vibrant, medium-bodied wines with bright acidity, supple tannins and aromas of sour cherry, redcurrant and blackberry, often accompanied by subtle spice and earthy undertones. With oak maturation or bottle age, it develops greater depth, gaining notes of black pepper, tobacco, leather and mineral nuances, while retaining freshness. The finest examples combine elegance with structure, offering excellent ageing potential and a clear sense of place.

Distinctive, expressive and increasingly recognised worldwide, Kékfrankos remains a proud ambassador for Central European red wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely planted and celebrated red grape varieties, known for its deep colour, firm tannins, and remarkable ageing potential. Originating in Bordeaux, France, as a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, it has become a global benchmark for structured, full-bodied red wines.

Viticulturally, Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy, late-ripening grape that thrives in warm, sunny climates. It produces small, thick-skinned berries, contributing to its bold tannic structure and deep colour. The vine is relatively resistant to disease and adapts well to diverse soils, making it suitable for a wide range of terroirs.

Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is planted extensively across the world—from its French homeland in Bordeaux’s Left Bank, to California’s Napa Valley, Chile’s Maipo Valley, Australia’s Coonawarra, and South Africa’s Stellenbosch. It often forms the backbone of blends, particularly in Bordeaux-style wines, but also shines as a varietal expression.

Flavour profiles typically include blackcurrant (cassis), blackberry, mint, cedar, and tobacco, often developing notes of leather, earth, and spice with age. Styles range from fruit-forward and plush in warmer climates to structured and herbal in cooler ones. Cabernet Sauvignon’s power, elegance, and longevity make it a cornerstone of fine red winemaking worldwide.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.