Philipp Presents:
VILLÆRA I (Solera Cuvée white)
With VILLÆRA I, Villa Tolnay unveils a new white blend that offers a distinctive interpretation of the volcanic terroir of Mount Csobánc, set against the northern shores of Lake Balaton.
While the well-known TENGER Cuvée impresses with its high proportion of Chardonnay and its ageing in classic 225-liter French barriques – yielding creamy texture, citrus zest, and subtle oak – VILLÆRA I presents itself as its stylistic counterpart: taut, floral, precise. It embodies vibrant minerality, aromatic elegance, and a timeless clarity.
Cuvée composition: Three Grapes, One Pannonian Soul
The blend is anchored by Furmint, Welschriesling and Riesling – three varietals deeply rooted in the winemaking traditions of the Pannonian Basin.
- Furmint contributes salinity and long ageing potential,
- Welschriesling adds structure and individuality,
- Riesling delivers finesse and fragrant brightness.
Together, they create a wine of remarkable complexity and layered expression – a white wine that speaks proudly and articulately of its origin.
The Solera Idea: A White Wine Across Time
The idea of crafting a white wine through the Solera method was born over five years ago. The vision: to unite the ageing potential of these grapes with a stylistic signature of balance.
Unlike vintage wines, which reflect the climatic nuances of a single year, a Solera wine offers harmony, depth and composure. It draws strength from multiple vintages to create a sensory equilibrium – mature, poised, yet full of energy.
VILLÆRA is composed from a minimum of five vintages, making it immediately enjoyable upon release – without sacrificing its cellar potential.
Solera in White: A Classic Principle, Reimagined
Inspired by the traditional Solera system known from Sherry, the base wines for VILLÆRA I age between nine months and five years in a combination of 300 to 500-liter barrels and select stainless steel tanks. After blending, the wine rests further in steel to preserve freshness, tension, and linearity.
The result is a white wine with inner calm, sculpted depth and elegant structure.
Name & Label: Symbolism with Substance
VILLÆRA merges Villa – a nod to Villa Tolnay – and Æra, Latin for “epoch” or “era.” The name alludes both to the estate’s heritage and to the time-spanning nature of the Solera ageing process. Pronounced "vi-lä-ra", it carries an echo of time, place, and provenance.
The triangular emblem on the label draws on the stylized shape of a Solera stack: the youngest vintages at the top, the matured core at the base – a graphic translation of patience, craftsmanship, and time.
