Wine exhibition and fair in the Buda Castle District – between the 5th and 9th of September

15 countries, 200 vineyards, 3000 types of wine await visitors.

The main event of the internationally renowned festival will be held for the eighth year in what is maybe Budapest’s most atmospheric setting, the Buda Castle District, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

The cream of Hungary’s wine producers will offer their most sumptuous wines for tasting at the Wine Festival. Alongside the home-grown nectars numerous foreign wines will be presented by noted wine traders. The range of wines will include winners of Hungarian and prestigious international prizes and the producers will be happy to answer any questions and provide professional advice; worth following for anyone who wishes to become a knowledgeable wine drinker.

Gastronomy is an integral part of the Wine Festival and visitors will be able to find, amongst others, barbecues, a fish terrace, stews cooked over an open fire, freshly baked savoury snacks and range of cheeses, including ewe and goat’s cheese.

Two stages will host a rich palette of cultural and musical programs throughout the five days of the festival. There will be performances by the Ghymes ensemble, the Benkó Dixieland Band, the Orosz Zoltán Quartet, Vivat Bacchus singing ensenble, the Bartók Béla male choir and the most celebrated Hungarian folk dance groups.

The VinAgora Square marquee will also be a feature of this year’s festival. Stepping inside, visitors will, with the help of professionals, be able become judges of wines. During the fifty minute program, guests will have the chance to assess six wines using professional techniques. The marks given to the wines tasted over five days will decide which wine wins the title of “Fesitval Wine”.

The popular Wine University will be held for the eighth year between 11th and 13th of September and is open for both experienced wine tasters and new students. During the three-day course well-known experts will hold high quality, interesting lectures incorporating wine tasting. Both friends of wine and professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge will be enriched by the useful information on offer.

The Harvest Procession, held on the 8th of September in the Buda Castle District, will present a colourful, musical maelstrom in honour of the grape and wine producers, entertaining thousands of people as in previous years. The procession will be made up of folk dance groups from the wine producing regions, resplendent in unique folk costumes, members of wine associations and the representatives of the Order of the Knights of the Truffle. The participants of the procession, numbering between 400 and 500, will delight spectators with music and dance as well as giving the opportunity for grape and wine tasting.

The Skanzen Open Air Museum will hold a two-day Harvest Festival, a traditional accompaniment to the Wine Festival. The weekend will include enjoyable crafts, folk dancing, court comedians and fun games.

The highlight of the Wine Festival’s cultural events is the Gala Concert, which this year will be held at a new venue, the Budapest Palace of Arts, on the 18th of September. The planned program includes Orff’s Carmina Burana, with performances by Erika Miklósa, amongst others.