Leanyka in Eger

Orsolya Pince ★ 3.9

A five-hectare, four-plot family winery in Ostoros run by winemaker Tarnoczi Zoltan, producing additive-free wines from an unusually wide varietal range including Kadarka, Sangiovese and Ezerjo.

Tasting: Small-batch tastings by appointment; contact winemaker Tarnoczi Zoltan directly.

Signature wines: Abrakadabra, Kadarka

Tip: The range of grape varieties here is broader than almost any other small Eger cellar; ask what is pouring that week.

Almagyar Erseki Szolobirtok ★ 4.3

Founded in 2009 on the historic Almagyar archiepiscopal hillside, this estate farms heritage Eger varieties including a 60-year-old Leanyka block, fermenting spontaneously in oak and acacia wood.

Tasting: Vineyard visits, wine camping (borkemping) and a spa on the Almagyar hillside.

Signature wines: Erseki Leanyka, Menoire

Tip: The old-vine Leanyka block is one of the few heritage plantings still farmed on the Almagyar hillside.

St. Andrea, Egerszalok ★ 4.4

St. Andrea's home cellar sits in Egerszalok rather than inside Eger's own Szepasszony-volgy tourist circuit, a village better known nationally for its mineral-terrace thermal spa, which keeps the winery's tasting room calmer than a central-Eger address would be.

Tip: Combine a St. Andrea tasting with the Egerszalok salt-hill thermal terrace next door; the two sit an easy walk apart in the same village.

St. Andrea Napbor Egri Csillag ★ 4.2

Napbor is St. Andrea's entry-level Egri Csillag, drawing on the Egerszalok estate's Carpathian-basin white varieties for an approachable, everyday-priced introduction to the winery's white range.

Tip: Egerszalok is also home to Hungary's mineral-terrace thermal spa; pair a cellar stop with a soak, since the two sit within walking distance of each other.

Thummerer Egri Csillag ★ 4.0

Thummerer's Egri Csillag is one of the least expensive bottlings of the category from any established Eger producer, an easy entry point into the white blend that was created as a counterpart to Bikaver.

Tip: At this price it is a sound everyday white; step up to St. Andrea's or Gal Tibor's Csillag bottlings for more concentration if the occasion calls for it.