A HISTORY, A HERITAGE OF HUNGARIAN WINES
Ein Erbe und eine Geschichte der besten Weine
Meet tHE PEOPLE OF VILLA TOLNAY
In 2004, Swiss entrepreneur Philipp Oser established VILLA TOLNAY, a captivating winery nestled on the Csobanc Mountain amidst a pristine natural reserve on the Northern shores of Hungary's Lake Balaton. From the early beginnings, Oser assumed the role of Chief Winemaker, personally overseeing each harvest and vintage, ensuring exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
During the initial years of establishing the winery, Oser received invaluable support from two esteemed winemakers hailing from Austria and Germany. Roland Velich, the visionary owner, founder, and winemaker of Moric Wines in Lutzmannsburg, Austria, generously offered his guidance and expertise to Philipp Oser during the formative three years of winemaking. Velich played an instrumental role in shaping the distinctive style and character of VILLA TOLNAY wines.
Additionally, Josef Watzl, renowned for his winemaking prowess in Calw, Germany, provided dedicated assistance and expertise in processing technology and vineyard management during the subsequent three years.
In 2008, Laszlo Nagy joined the VILLA TOLNAY team, his contributions were instrumental to the winery's success. Nagy swiftly ascended to the position of partner, estate and vineyard manager, and cellar master. He oversees the day-to-day operations, ensuring the remarkable excellence of our wines.
THE STORY OF VILLA TOLNAY
Over two decades ago, winery owner Philipp Oser embarked on his inaugural visit to Csobánc hill, a pivotal moment that would forever shape his life.
Instantly captivated by the breathtaking landscape and the extraordinary ambiance, he knew deep within his heart that he had discovered his rightful haven. Csobánc hill, nestled on the northern shores of Lake Balaton, within the Tapolca basin, stands as one of Hungary's most magnificent volcanic mountains.
The southern slopes of this majestic peak boast remarkable terroir. Little did Philipp Oser realize at the time that the house he encountered held within its walls a remarkable and storied past.
KLÁRI TOLNAY
The original villa once belonged to the renowned Hungarian actress Klári Tolnay – serving as her cherished weekend retreat.
When Philipp Oser acquired the property in 2004, he honored her memory by preserving the name, thus establishing his winery as VILLA TOLNAY.
THE BADACSONY WINE AREA
The original villa once belonged to the renowned Hungarian actress Klári Tolnay serving as her cherished weekend retreat.
When Philipp Oser acquired the property in 2004, he honored her memory by preserving the name, thus establishing his winery as VILLA TOLNAY."When I first came here, I experienced the terroir, the potential of the soil and the climate. I could sense it in some wines of the region, but I could not find the perfect wine that showed the true and clear potential. My idea was to bring what you see here, what you smell here and what you sense here into the bottle. In the last ten years, I think we found our unique style of wine. We have learnt how we can translate the terroir character of Csobánc or Badacsony into our wines." - Philipp Oser
Philipp Oser
OWNER, CHIEF WINEMAKER
With a Swiss upbringing and a successful career in global IT consulting spanning over 25 years, Philipp embarked on a life-changing journey to Hungary at the turn of the millennium. It was there that he met his wife, Adriana, and discovered his true passion for wine.
Exploring the wine regions of Hungary, Philipp found himself captivated by the enchanting Badacsony wine region, particularly the mesmerizing Csobanc Mountain. Inspired by his extensive knowledge of winemaking across Europe and his appreciation for the unique terroir of Csobanc, the idea of establishing a winery took root in his mind.
Drawing inspiration from renowned wine regions like Germany's Riesling regions, Austria, Burgundy, and Piedmont, Philipp sought to create wines that embody the character and style of these esteemed regions. This deep admiration and understanding shaped his winemaking philosophy, resulting in exceptional wines that reflect his passion and dedication.
LÁSZLÓ NAGY
CO-OWNER, WINERY ESTATE MANAGER
Hailing from the charming town of Badacsonytomaj, Laszlo's journey into the world of wine was destined from the start.
After honing his skills in the culinary arts in Germany and Austria, where he mastered the German language, Laszlo returned home with a newfound passion for wine. Drawn to the enchanting landscapes of the region, Laszlo found his calling at a small winery nestled on the nearby Szent György mountain. It was here that his love affair with winemaking truly began to blossom.
In 2007, Laszlo took the leap and applied to join the VILLA TOLNAY team. Embracing the vision set forth by Philipp and Adriana, he officially became a part of the VILLA TOLNAY family in 2008. To kickstart his journey, Laszlo embarked on an inspiring trip to the iconic wine region of Burgundy, where Philipp shared his groundbreaking winemaking philosophy for the Badacsony region. Together, they set out to challenge the local winemaking traditions and elevate the wines of the area to new heights. With a shared passion for German Rieslings, Burgundy's captivating reds and whites, and the effervescent wonders of Champagne, Laszlo and Philipp share a professional hobby that further fuels their dedication to crafting exceptional wines.