Zsirai Pince in Tarcal grows vines on the southern slopes of Kopasz-hegy including plots adjacent to the historic Mézes Mály dűlő, one of Tokaj's first-class classified vineyards, producing full-bodied dry Furmint and Aszú.
Signature wines: zsirai-mezes-maly-furmint, zsirai-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: Tarcal is the southernmost major wine village in Tokaj; its maximum sun exposure produces noticeably richer fruit than the cooler northern villages.
Address: Tarcal, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Hungary, Tokaj
Balassa Pince is based in Tolcsva, home village of Oremus, producing dry Furmint and textured Szamorodni from the rolling volcanic hillsides and ancient cellar tunnels of the Tolcsva valley.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings in Tolcsva by appointment.
Signature wines: balassa-furmint, balassa-szamorodni
Tip: Tolcsva's deep historic cellar network runs for hundreds of metres through volcanic tuff; an atmospheric location for any tasting.
Kovács Nimród Winery in Mezőzombor produces a range of Tokaj styles including the rare Kabar variety alongside Furmint and Hárslevelű under the winemaker's own label.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings in Mezőzombor by appointment.
Signature wines: kovacs-nimrod-furmint, kovacs-nimrod-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: One of the few estates that bottles Kabar (Hárslevelű × Bouvier crossing) as a varietal wine; a rare Tokaj style worth seeking out.
Almási Pince is a family estate in Hercegkút, a Swabian settlement whose famous cellar street with barrel-roofed cellars built into the hillside creates one of Tokaj's most unusual and photogenic village streetscapes.
Tasting: Family cellar in Hercegkút's Swabian cellar street; visits by appointment.
Signature wines: almasi-pince-furmint-dry, almasi-pince-harslevelu
Tip: Hercegkút's Swabian cellar street is a short walk from the main road; the uniform barrel-vaulted cellar doors built into the hill are a memorable architectural sight unlike anything else in Tokaj.
Vincze Pince is a family estate in the elevated forest-village of Erdőbénye, producing racy dry Furmint and late-harvest wine from cool-climate volcanic plots at higher elevations within the appellation.
Tasting: Family estate; visits by appointment.
Signature wines: vincze-pince-furmint-dry, vincze-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Erdőbénye's altitude and forest cover produce Furmint with unusually high natural acidity; compare with a Mád or Tarcal bottling to appreciate the contrasting terroir.
Fekete Pince in Sárospatak produces Furmint and Aszú from plots in the northern sector of the Tokaj appellation, where cooler temperatures extend the growing season and produce wines of heightened natural acidity.
Tasting: Cellar tastings in Sárospatak; visits by arrangement.
Signature wines: fekete-pince-furmint-dry, fekete-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Sárospatak's 16th-century Renaissance castle complex is within walking distance of the cellar; combine the tasting with a visit to the historic castle and Calvinist college.
Harsányi Pince is a family producer in Sátoraljaújhely, the northernmost town of the Tokaj appellation bordering Slovakia, growing Furmint and Hárslevelű on sheltered south-facing terraces in the appellation's coolest zone.
Tasting: Family winery in Sátoraljaújhely; visits by prior arrangement.
Signature wines: harsanyi-pince-furmint-dry, harsanyi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Sátoraljaújhely is the most northerly village of the appellation; wines from here show a more restrained, higher-acid profile than those from the sunnier Mád basin.
