96 editor-picked sweet producers across 7 regions.
A guide to sweet wine worth seeking out, by region.
The only Sauternes Premier Cru Superieur, producing botrytised Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary longevity. LVMH-owned; Sandrine Garbay winemaker; average 10 hl/ha yield.
Tasting: Tours and tastings available by appointment; booking through official site.
Signature wines: chateau-dyquem, y-de-yquem
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2001), Wine Spectator 100 (2001)
Sauternes Premier Cru within a fairytale 1618 castle; 18 hectares of enclosed vineyard. Lalique luxury hotel with two-Michelin-starred restaurant and 350,000-bottle cellar.
Tasting: Lalique hotel with two Michelin-starred restaurant; open to hotel guests.
Signature wines: chateau-lafaurie-peyraguey, la-chapelle-de-lafaurie-peyraguey
Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2017), Decanter 97 (2019)
Sauternes Premier Cru adjacent to d'Yquem, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild since 1984. 93 hectares of Semillon-dominant botrytised dessert wine production.
Tasting: Visits and tastings available by appointment.
Signature wines: chateau-rieussec-sauternes, r-de-rieussec
Scores: Wine Advocate 98 (2001), Wine Spectator 98 (2009)
Ernst Loosen's estate holds parcels of ungrafted old vines in many of the Mittelmosel's grand crus, from Wehlener Sonnenuhr to Erdener Pralat and the Bernkasteler Lay. A leading global ambassador for Mosel Riesling.
Tasting: Wine tastings and cellar-door sales Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment at St. Johannishof.
The most prestigious estate of the Saar, owner of the heart of the Scharzhofberg. Its Trockenbeerenauslese and Auslese rank among the most expensive and ageworthy white wines in the world.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only; the estate sells primarily through auction and allocation.
The most famous Riesling estate in Wehlen, known worldwide for long-lived, reductive, off-dry wines from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Family-run and dedicated entirely to Riesling on blue Devonian slate.
Tasting: Tastings by prior appointment only; contact the estate office by email to arrange a visit.
A benchmark estate on the south-facing Brauneberger Juffer and Juffer-Sonnenuhr, run by Oliver Haag. Crystalline, racy Rieslings with documented roots back to 1605.
Tasting: Tastings and sales by appointment at the Dusemonder Hof estate in Brauneberg.
A long-established family estate working steep parcels in Zeltingen, Wehlen, Graach and Bernkastel. Known for old-vine, hand-harvested Rieslings and characterful dry and off-dry bottlings.
Tasting: Tastings at the Selbach Vinothek, Gansfelder Strasse 20; Saturday 11:00 to 17:00 and Sundays and holidays by appointment.
Thomas Haag's estate at the castle village of Lieser, with parcels in the Brauneberger Juffer, Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Niederberg Helden. Multiple-time German winery of the year for its precise Rieslings.
Tasting: Vinothek tastings and sales at the estate in Lieser; visits by arrangement.
An ambitious estate spanning the Mosel and Saar with one of the largest collections of top sites in the region, plus serious Mosel Pinot Noir. Famous for its star-coded labelling of dry, off-dry and sweet styles.
Tasting: Vinothek open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00, weekends and holidays by appointment.
A boutique estate founded by Swiss-born Daniel Vollenweider and centred on the steep old-vine Wolfer Goldgrube, now led by Moritz Hoffmann. Concentrated, classically fruity Mosel Riesling from the Traben-Trarbach area.
Tasting: Small estate; tastings and sales by appointment in Traben-Trarbach.
An Erden family estate with prime holdings in the steep Erdener Pralat and Treppchen and the Urziger Wurzgarten. Classic fruity-style Mosel Riesling across the Pradikat ladder.
Tasting: Tastings and sales by appointment at the riverside estate in Erden.
A ninth-generation estate at Mulheim with parcels across the Mittelmosel including the Brauneberger Juffer and a Mulheimer Helenenkloster site noted for Eiswein. Wide range of fruity and dry Riesling.
Tasting: Tastings and sales at the Mulheim estate; visits by arrangement.
Saint-Michel-sur-Rhone domaine producing ambitious Northern Rhone whites and reds with low-intervention and site-specific focus.
Tasting: Tastings by appointment at the domaine
Signature wines: villard-condrieu-le-grand-vallon, villard-saint-joseph-le-grand-pompee
Founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1833, Cantine Florio is the most iconic Marsala house in Sicily. Its historic tuff-stone cellars, with 104 arches and 1,400 barrels, are a landmark of western Sicilian wine history.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours of the historic 165-metre tuff-stone barrel chambers. Over 50,000 visitors annually. Bookable via the Cantine Florio website.
Signature wines: florio-targa-riserva, florio-morsi-di-luce
Established in 1880, sixth-generation family-owned Cantine Pellegrino built its reputation on Marsala and Pantelleria passito wines. Its historic Marsala cellars are among the most visited in western Sicily.
Tasting: Wine tourism at the historic Marsala cellars via the Pellegrino Ouverture booking platform. Guided tours, tastings and food pairings.
Signature wines: pellegrino-marsala-superiore-riserva, pellegrino-nes-passito
Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate produces the celebrated Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC from Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria) vines trained in the alberello pantesco system on volcanic soils. Ben Rye is consistently rated among Italy's finest sweet wines.
Tasting: Estate visits on Pantelleria. Bookable via the Donnafugata visit site.
Signature wines: donnafugata-ben-rye
Marco De Bartoli's Pantelleria estate at Bukkuram produces the Sole d'Agosto passito from Zibibbo vines trained in the alberello pantesco system. The wine is a benchmark of minimal-intervention Pantelleria passito style.
Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via the Marco De Bartoli website.
Signature wines: de-bartoli-bukkuram-sole-d-agosto
Gabrio Bini's Serragghia on Pantelleria is a cult natural-wine producer farming Zibibbo in the alberello pantesco system without sulphur. The Serragghia passito and natural Zibibbo whites are among Italy's most sought-after natural sweet and aromatic wines.
Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via Gabrio Bini's Serragghia farm.
Signature wines: serragghia-passito-di-pantelleria
Founded by Carlo Hauner in 1963 on Salina in the Aeolian Islands, Hauner is the defining producer of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC. Their passito and naturale styles from Malvasia di Lipari vines are the benchmark for this rare island appellation.
Tasting: Tasting room at the estate on Salina. Open to visitors in the Aeolian Island season (April to October). Contact via the Hauner website.
Signature wines: hauner-malvasia-delle-lipari, hauner-malvasia-delle-lipari-passito
A second-generation family estate on Salina producing organic Malvasia delle Lipari DOC wines alongside a Nero d'Avola-based red. Caravaglio's minimal-intervention passito is a benchmark expression of the Aeolian Islands' volcanic terroir.
Tasting: Seasonal tastings on Salina. Contact via the Caravaglio website.
Signature wines: caravaglio-malvasia-passito, caravaglio-salina-bianco
Tasca d'Almerita's Capofaro estate on the island of Salina in the Aeolian Islands produces Malvasia delle Lipari DOC within a boutique hotel and winery. The terrace vines with views toward Stromboli create one of Italy's most dramatic wine-tourism settings.
Tasting: Boutique hotel and wine resort on Salina with tasting experiences among the Malvasia vines overlooking the Tyrrhenian.
Signature wines: capofaro-malvasia
Maggio Vini produces Noto DOC Nero d'Avola and Moscato di Noto from the Maccari contrada in the Syracuse province, one of the warmest and most sun-drenched zones in Sicily.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Noto estate. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: maggio-vini-nero-davola, maggio-vini-moscato-di-noto
Founded in 1990 by Hugh Johnson and partners, Royal Tokaji pioneered the post-1989 private revival of single-vineyard Tokaj Aszú from Mád's historic dűlők.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment at the Mád winery; contact via website.
Signature wines: royal-tokaji-mezes-maly-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-nyulaszo-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-szt-tamas-aszu-6-puttonyos, royal-tokaji-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: The Mézes Mály single-vineyard Aszú is the estate's flagship sweet expression; book the cellar visit through the estate website.
Acquired in 1992 by AXA Millésimes, Disznókő is the largest single contiguous vineyard estate in Tokaj, producing Aszú and the rare Eszencia from 104 hectares at Mezőzombor.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours and tastings by appointment; guesthouse on site for overnight stays.
Signature wines: disznoko-aszu-6-puttonyos, disznoko-aszu-5-puttonyos, disznoko-eszencia, disznoko-inspiracio-furmint
Tip: Book the cellar tour well in advance; the estate's guesthouse is an atmospheric overnight option in the region.
Oremus was acquired by Tempos Vega Sicilia in 1993 and is based in Tolcsva, where ancient 13th-century cellars underpin a modern winery producing both dry Furmint and Tokaji Aszú.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings by appointment at Tolcsva.
Signature wines: oremus-mandolas-furmint, oremus-aszu-5-puttonyos, oremus-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: The Mandolás dry Furmint is the estate's flagship white and a key reference for the dry Furmint revival.
The Szepsy family estate in Mád is the original force behind the single-vineyard Tokaj revival; meticulous work in the historic dűlők of Mád defines the dry Furmint movement.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only.
Signature wines: szepsy-furmint, szepsy-uradja-furmint, szepsy-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: Visits are strictly by prior arrangement; plan months ahead for harvest-season appointments.
Set in central Mád in a 500-year-old cellar running almost 2 km underground, Holdvölgy produces precise single-vineyard dry Furmint and Aszú wines from the premier dűlők of the Mád basin.
Tasting: Open Sun-Thu 10:00-15:00, Fri-Sat 10:00-17:00; online booking via website.
Signature wines: holdvolgy-notabene-furmint, holdvolgy-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: The underground cellar tour is atmospheric; book the tasting package in advance.
Founded in 2000 in Bodrogkisfalud, Patricius cultivates 68 hectares of traditional Tokaj varieties including the rare Kövérszőlő, producing the full range from dry Furmint to Aszú.
Tasting: Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00, year-round; advance booking recommended.
Signature wines: patricius-furmint-dry, patricius-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: One of the few estates that bottles Kövérszőlő as a varietal; a rare Tokaj style worth asking about during any visit.
Béres Vineyards and Winery occupies 45 hectares in the Bénye Basin at the geographical centre of Tokaj, producing single-vineyard dry whites and Aszú from terraced volcanic soils.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings by appointment.
Signature wines: beres-locse-furmint, beres-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: The Lőcse single-vineyard Furmint is the estate's flagship expression of the volcanic rhyolite tuff terroir.
Founded in 2002 by Loire-trained winemaker Stéphanie Berecz and her husband Zsolt in Tarcal, Kikelet crafts mineral dry whites and late-harvest wines from volcanic-rock cellars carved into the village bedrock.
Tasting: Winery and cellar visits by appointment in Tarcal.
Signature wines: kikelet-furmint, kikelet-harslevelu, kikelet-late-harvest
Tip: Stéphanie Berecz was awarded Winemaker of Winemakers by her peers in 2014; the natural-rock cellar environment is a highlight of any visit.
Barta Winery in Mád crafts single-vineyard Furmint from the historic Öreg Király dűlő and structured Aszú from meticulously tended volcanic hillside plots above the village.
Tasting: Wine shop and cellar tastings at Rákóczi utca 83, Mád; book via email or phone.
Signature wines: barta-oreg-kiraly-furmint, barta-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: The Rákóczi utca wine shop doubles as the tasting room; the Öreg Király (Old King) Furmint is the estate's signature white.
The Sauska family's Tokaj winery, with a new Rátka facility opened in 2023, produces sparkling Furmint, dry whites and Aszú alongside the estate's Villány reds under the same family label.
Tasting: Winery tastings and visits at the Rátka facility, opened November 2023.
Signature wines: sauska-furmint, sauska-tokaj-aszu
Tip: The traditional-method sparkling Furmint is an unusual and rewarding expression of the grape's high natural acidity.
Tokaj Nobilis was founded in 2000 in Bodrogkeresztúr by winemaker Sarolta Bárdos and her husband Péter Molnár; the 7-hectare estate focuses on single-vineyard expressions and also offers guesthouse accommodation.
Tasting: Winery visits, tastings and accommodation in Bodrogkeresztúr; booking via website.
Signature wines: tokaj-nobilis-barakonyi-furmint, tokaj-nobilis-aszu
Tip: Sarolta Bárdos is one of the region's most compelling advocates for dry Furmint; the Barakonyi plot delivers notably saline minerality.
Pendits in Abaújszántó became Hungary's first Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in 2011 and the region's first certified organic estate in 2008, producing low-intervention Furmint and rare Aszú Essencia.
Tasting: Winery visits by appointment in Abaújszántó.
Signature wines: pendits-furmint, pendits-aszu-essencia
Tip: The first Hungarian winery to achieve both Demeter biodynamic and organic certification; a reference point for natural-leaning Tokaj.
Bott Pince is a 6-hectare family estate founded in 2005, farming six single vineyards across Tokaj with no herbicides, no enzymes and spontaneous fermentation from native yeasts.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only; contact via email.
Signature wines: bott-csontos-furmint, bott-teleki-furmint
Tip: With only 6 hectares split among six named plots, each bottling is genuinely single-site; the Csontos from Erdőbénye-Olaszliszka slopes is the most characteristic.
Founded in 1989 on Tokaj's historic wine merchants' street by Erzsébet Prácser, one of the region's first female winemakers, this family cellar produces traditional dry and sweet Tokaj styles.
Tasting: Cellar tastings in the heart of Tokaj town; booking via website.
Signature wines: erzsebet-furmint-dry, erzsebet-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: The cellar sits on Bem Street, the historic wine trading street of Tokaj town; the family's personal history spans the transition from state to private winemaking.
Grand Tokaj, formerly Tokaj Kereskedőház, is the state-owned large-format producer, rebranded in 2016, producing the full range of Tokaj styles at commercial scale and widely distributed internationally.
Tasting: Winery visits and group tastings; contact via website.
Signature wines: grand-tokaj-aszu-5-puttonyos, grand-tokaj-furmint
Tip: Grand Tokaj's wines are widely available internationally and a practical entry point for exploring the region's principal styles.
Füleky Pince is a family estate in Bodrogkeresztúr at the Bodrog-Tisza confluence, a village whose morning mists reliably stimulate noble rot; the estate produces Furmint and Aszú from these fog-prone slopes.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings in Bodrogkeresztúr by appointment.
Signature wines: fuleky-furmint, fuleky-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Bodrogkeresztúr's autumn fogs produce some of the region's most consistently botrytised grapes; the village is a good base for understanding the geographical origins of Tokaji Aszú.
Zoltán Demeter is a boutique Mád producer making concentrated single-vineyard Furmint and precise Aszú from tiny parcels on the volcanic slopes above the village.
Tasting: Visits by prior appointment only.
Signature wines: demeter-zoltan-furmint, demeter-zoltan-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: Production is very small; wines are primarily available through specialist importers and local Mád tasting rooms.
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.
Tasting: Winery visits by appointment in Tarcal.
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.
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.
Tokaj Hétszőlő, now part of the Grand Tokaj family, takes its name from one of Mád's historically documented vineyard sites, producing Aszú from clay-volcanic soils documented since the 17th century.
Tasting: Part of the Grand Tokaj group; visits by arrangement via Grand Tokaj.
Signature wines: tokaj-hetszolos-furmint, tokaj-hetszolos-aszu
Tip: The Hétszőlő name (seven vineyards) appears in historical Tokaj documents from the early 1600s; the estate carries the weight of the region's long documented viticultural history.
István Szepsy Jr. continues the Szepsy family tradition at the Mád estate, producing single-vineyard Furmint and Aszú with the same rigorous approach to dűlő selection that defined the original Szepsy revival.
Tasting: Visits by appointment only in Mád.
Signature wines: szepsy-jr-furmint-nyulaszo, szepsy-jr-aszu-6-puttonyos
Tip: The father-and-son succession at Szepsy is one of the clearest examples of generational knowledge transfer in Tokaj winemaking.
Malatinszky Tokaj produces mineral dry Furmint from Mád-area plots, complementing the same estate family known for reds from Villány; a rare dual-appellation Hungarian producer.
Tasting: Visits by appointment; estate also produces at Villány.
Signature wines: malatinszky-tokaj-furmint, malatinszky-tokaj-aszu
Tip: A useful comparative tasting when combined with Villány reds to understand the span of Hungarian wine from volcanic north to limestone south.
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.
Katona Pince is a family producer in Abaújszántó, the southernmost wine village of Tokaj-Hegyalja, producing Furmint, Sárga Muskotály and Aszú from sheltered south-facing volcanic slopes.
Tasting: Cellar visits in Abaújszántó by appointment.
Signature wines: katona-pince-furmint-dry, katona-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Abaújszántó sits at the southern gateway to the appellation; its wines show warmer, riper fruit character than the central Mád villages.
Bognár Pince is a traditional family estate in Tokaj town producing dry Furmint and both styles of Szamorodni alongside Aszú, representing the full range of styles historically associated with the eponymous wine capital.
Tasting: Family cellar in Tokaj town; visits by prior arrangement.
Signature wines: bognar-pince-furmint-dry, bognar-pince-szamorodni-edes
Tip: Dry Szamorodni (száraz) is one of Tokaj's most underrated styles; aged examples develop sherry-like oxidative complexity and pair well with aged cheese.
Papp Pince is a family producer in Tarcal growing Furmint, Hárslevelű and Sárga Muskotály on south-facing volcanic terraces that define this village's fuller, more concentrated style of wine.
Tasting: Family winery; visits by prior arrangement in Tarcal.
Signature wines: papp-pince-furmint-dry, papp-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Tarcal's Mézes Mály (Honey Meadow) is among the historically classified first-class dűlők; ask which plots the family tends during any visit.
Jäger Pince is a boutique family estate in Mád focusing on single-parcel Furmint and small-volume Aszú from the village's historic volcanic clay and rhyolite tuff soils.
Tasting: Cellar visits by appointment in Mád.
Signature wines: jager-pince-furmint-dry, jager-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: In a village of many cellars, Jäger Pince offers an unhurried, personal tasting experience.
Hétényi Pince is a small family estate in Tokaj town producing dry Furmint, Sárga Muskotály and late-harvest wine from plots across the PDO, continuing a multigenerational family tradition in the wine capital.
Tasting: Family cellar tastings in Tokaj town; contact in advance.
Signature wines: hetenyi-pince-furmint-dry, hetenyi-pince-late-harvest
Tip: Tokaj town has several family cellars along its historic wine streets; combining two or three tasting visits in a single afternoon on foot is entirely feasible.
Erdei Pince is a boutique estate in the hillside village of Erdőbénye set among forested ridges, producing mineral Furmint and fragrant Sárga Muskotály from sheltered volcanic plots at altitude.
Tasting: Family winery; visits by appointment.
Signature wines: erdei-pince-furmint-dry, erdei-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Erdőbénye's elevated, forested position gives its wines a distinctive cool-climate lift compared to the valley-floor villages.
Dorógi Pince is a small family winery in Bodrogkisfalud producing dry Furmint and Aszú from clay-volcanic slopes bordering the Bodrog river, where autumn fog reliably creates botrytis conditions.
Tasting: Family winery; visits by appointment.
Signature wines: dorogi-pince-furmint-dry, dorogi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: A classic small-producer experience in a village that receives far fewer visitors than Mád or Tokaj town.
Molnár Pince in Bodrogolaszi on the Bodrog riverbank maximises autumn fog exposure for reliable botrytis; the family makes dry Furmint and traditional sweet styles from Bodrog-riverside plots.
Tasting: Cellar visits by appointment in Bodrogolaszi.
Signature wines: molnar-pince-furmint-dry, molnar-pince-szamorodni-edes
Tip: The Bodrog riverbanks near Olaszliszka and Bodrogolaszi produce some of the most consistently botrytised grapes in the whole appellation.
Lapis Pince is a small family producer in Olaszliszka, a Bodrog-valley village whose riverine fog creates ideal botrytis conditions; the estate produces Furmint and Aszú in a traditional style.
Tasting: Family cellar visits by appointment in Olaszliszka.
Signature wines: lapis-pince-furmint-dry, lapis-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Olaszliszka sits directly on the Bodrog and experiences heavy morning mist in autumn; harvest-time visits are particularly atmospheric.
Várhelyi Pince is a family cellar in central Tokaj town producing dry Furmint and sweet Aszú from volcanic plots across the region, with multigenerational roots in the historic wine-street quarter.
Tasting: Cellar tastings in Tokaj town; contact in advance.
Signature wines: varhelyi-pince-furmint-dry, varhelyi-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Located in the historic Bem Street wine quarter of Tokaj; an atmospheric traditional cellar tasting.
Winesor Pince is based in the historic town of Sárospatak, associated with Hungarian Calvinist culture and winemaking, producing dry Furmint and Aszú from the northern sector of the appellation.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings by appointment in Sárospatak.
Signature wines: winesor-pince-furmint-dry, winesor-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Sárospatak combines Renaissance castle, Calvinist college and wine cellars within a walkable town centre.
Tokajer Pince is a family producer in Tállya whose wines from the Király dűlő represent the northernmost concentration of first-class classified vineyard sites in the appellation.
Tasting: Family winery in Tállya; tastings by prior arrangement.
Signature wines: tokajer-pince-furmint-dry, tokajer-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Tállya's Király dűlő has been classified as first class since the 18th-century royal decree; wines from here show structured, mineral character.
Karácsonyi Pince is a small family winery in Tállya, producing traditional dry Furmint and Aszú from the northern Zemplén foothills terraces including historic first-class classified Király parcels.
Tasting: Family winery; visits by appointment in Tállya.
Signature wines: karacsony-pince-furmint-dry, karacsony-pince-aszu-5-puttonyos
Tip: Tállya is less visited than Mád but has among the oldest vine stock in the region; the Király dűlő is classified since the 1700s royal decree.
Montepulciano estate acquired by Belgian shipowner Virginie Saverys in 2009 and converted to Demeter-certified biodynamics. The Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo from Sangiovese remains a benchmark of the style.
Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia tastings and estate lunches by reservation; certified biodynamic by Demeter.
Signature wines: avignonesi-vino-nobile, avignonesi-grandi-annate, avignonesi-occhio-di-pernice, avignonesi-50-50
Scores: Vinous 95 (2017)
Contini Bonacossi family estate at Carmignano with vineyard records back to 804 AD on the property. Wine production formalised in 1920; certified organic and a Carmignano DOCG benchmark.
Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia visits, vineyard walks and on-site agriturismo accommodation; certified organic.
Signature wines: capezzana-villa-di-capezzana, capezzana-trefiano-riserva, capezzana-vin-santo-di-carmignano-riserva
Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2018), Vinous 93 (2018)
Small Chianti Classico estate at Poggibonsi run by Vicky Schmitt-Vitali since 1999. Certified ICEA-organic; the Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is aged 10 years in caratelli.
Tasting: Small-group estate tastings and cellar visits by appointment; agriturismo rooms available; certified organic.
Signature wines: le-fonti-chianti-classico-riserva, le-fonti-vito-arturo, le-fonti-vin-santo
Scores: Vinous 92 (2019), Wine Advocate 91 (2019)
The legendary Negrar estate founded in 1924, now run by Giuseppe's daughter Fiorenza. Quintarelli's Amarone and Recioto are benchmark expressions of dried-grape Valpolicella winemaking, aged for years before release.
Tasting: By appointment only; tastings at the historic cellar in Negrar. Very limited availability.
Signature wines: quintarelli-amarone-classico, quintarelli-alzero, quintarelli-recioto-classico
Founded by Romano Dal Forno in 1983 in the Illasi valley, outside the Classico zone. Tiny production, extremely low yields and very long maceration produce arguably the most powerful Amarone in the region.
Tasting: By appointment only; private estate visit at Cellore d'Illasi.
Signature wines: dal-forno-amarone-valpolicella, dal-forno-valpolicella-superiore
Multi-generation family estate at Fumane at the heart of Valpolicella Classico. Allegrini pioneered single-vineyard bottlings in the zone and is widely credited with modernising Amarone's international profile in the 1980s under Giovanni Allegrini.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Fumane estate and Villa della Torre; bookable via the estate website.
Signature wines: allegrini-amarone-classico, allegrini-la-poja, allegrini-palazzo-della-torre
One of Valpolicella's oldest and most recognisable names, founded in 1772. The Boscaini family pioneered the ripasso technique. The historic Serego Alighieri property owned by Dante Alighieri's descendants is part of the Masi portfolio.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings at Serego Alighieri guest property and the Gargagnago winery.
Signature wines: masi-costasera-amarone, masi-campolongo-di-torbe, masi-campofiorin
A founding force in Valpolicella winemaking since 1857, Bertani codified the long-maceration Amarone style. Owned by Tenimenti Angelini since 2021 and still operating from the historic Novare cellars.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tastings bookable at the Novare estate; group and trade visits by appointment.
Signature wines: bertani-amarone-classico, bertani-valpolicella-ripasso
Family estate in San Pietro in Cariano producing Amarone, Valpolicella and Ripasso across multiple vineyard parcels in the Classico zone since 1902. Fourth-generation winemaker Giancarlo oversees production.
Tasting: Wine tasting and cellar visits at the San Pietro in Cariano estate; bookable online.
Signature wines: tommasi-amarone-classico, tommasi-valpolicella-ripasso, tommasi-amarone-ca-florian
Founded by Sergio Zenato in 1960, this estate bridges two zones: the Valpolicella hillside estates east of Negrar produce Amarone, and the Lake Garda shoreline vineyards at Peschiera yield benchmark Lugana from Turbiana.
Tasting: Tasting visits at Peschiera del Garda; both Valpolicella and Lugana wines poured.
Signature wines: zenato-amarone-classico, zenato-valpolicella-ripassa
Six-generation family estate on the Monte Masua and Sant'Urbano hillsides of Fumane. Among the most traditional producers in the Classico zone; Luca Speri is the current winemaker.
Tasting: Cellar visits and seated tastings by appointment at San Pietro in Cariano.
Signature wines: speri-amarone-classico, speri-amarone-monte-sant-urbano
Founded in 1824, Tedeschi is one of the oldest family producers in Valpolicella Classico. The single-vineyard Amarone Capitel Monte Olmi is its flagship; sixth-generation Lorenzo Tedeschi manages the estate.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment; group tours of the historic cellar available.
Signature wines: tedeschi-amarone-capitel-monte-olmi, tedeschi-valpolicella-capitel-dei-nicalo
The Castagnedi brothers established Tenuta Sant'Antonio in 1989 in the Mezzane valley east of the Classico zone. Their Campo dei Gigli Amarone from Oseleta and Corvina is a benchmark for the sub-zone style.
Tasting: Estate tasting visits by appointment at Mezzane di Sotto; full range of Valpolicella and Amarone poured.
Signature wines: tenuta-santantonio-amarone-campo-dei-gigli, tenuta-santantonio-valpolicella-superiore
Small family estate at San Pietro in Cariano producing Amarone and Recioto from very old Corvina vines on the Ca'Bianca cru. Consistently high quality with a traditional approach to drying and long cellaring.
Tasting: Tastings and cellar tours by appointment; intimate family atmosphere.
Signature wines: begali-amarone-monte-ca-bianca, begali-recioto-classico
Founded in 2001 by former Quintarelli cellarmaster Celestino Gaspari. Zyme spans tradition and innovation: the Amarone Kairos uses classic drying methods, while the Harlequin IGT blends 15 native and international varieties.
Tasting: Private tastings by appointment at the San Pietro in Cariano cellar.
Signature wines: zyme-amarone-kairos, zyme-harlequin-veronese-igt
A Cesari family estate in the heart of Valpolicella Classico, known for precise, age-worthy Amarone and a careful approach to appassimento in the estate's traditional fruttai.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings by appointment at San Pietro in Cariano.
Signature wines: brigaldara-amarone-classico, brigaldara-il-vegro-amarone
Family-run estate at the top of the Marano valley producing structured, traditional Amarone and Valpolicella from old vineyards on volcanic soils.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment on the Marano hillside estate.
Signature wines: ca-la-bionda-amarone-classico, ca-la-bionda-valpolicella-classico
Marinella Camerani's biodynamic estate in the Mezzane valley has been Demeter-certified since 2003. The Mithas Amarone and Soraigo Valpolicella are made with minimal intervention and long ageing in large oak.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings by appointment at Mezzane di Sotto; biodynamic vineyard tours available.
Signature wines: corte-santalda-amarone-mithas, corte-santalda-soraigo
Roberto Anselmi famously resigned from the Soave Consorzio and declassified his wines to Veneto IGT as a protest against commercial dilution of the appellation. His San Vincenzo, Capitel Croce and I Capitelli (sweet) remain defining Garganega benchmarks.
Tasting: Tasting visits at Monteforte d'Alpone by appointment.
Signature wines: anselmi-san-vincenzo, anselmi-capitel-croce, anselmi-i-capitelli
A high-altitude Fumane estate farmed by the Scamperle family since 1986 producing Amarone Pergole Vece from century-old Corvina vines at 450 metres elevation. Monica Scamperle is one of Valpolicella's few female winemakers.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by appointment in Fumane.
Signature wines: le-salette-amarone-pergole-vece, le-salette-valpolicella-classico
Operating from the 16th-century Villa Santa Sofia in Pedemonte, this producer has been bottling Valpolicella wines since 1811. The Begnoni family combination of history and good-value Amarone attracts steady wine tourism.
Tasting: Villa Santa Sofia open for visits and tastings; the historic loggia attributed to Palladio is part of the tour.
Signature wines: santa-sofia-amarone-classico, santa-sofia-valpolicella-classico
Valentina Cubi's certified organic estate on the Fumane hillsides produces small-production Amarone and Valpolicella with a focus on indigenous varieties and minimal intervention in both vineyard and cellar.
Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment at the Fumane estate.
Signature wines: valentina-cubi-amarone-morar, valentina-cubi-valpolicella-classico
The Nicolis family has farmed the Villa Girardi estate in San Pietro in Cariano since 1951. The Ambrosan single-vineyard Amarone from the oldest family vines is their prestige bottling.
Tasting: Wine visits and tastings at San Pietro in Cariano by appointment.
Signature wines: nicolis-amarone-classico, nicolis-ambrosan-amarone
Claudio Viviani farms old Corvina and Rondinella vines on the Mazzano ridge in Negrar, producing a tiny-production Amarone Campo Morar from the estate's highest plots with notable freshness and longevity.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Mazzano estate by appointment.
Signature wines: viviani-amarone-campo-morar, viviani-valpolicella-classico
Founded in 1933, this cooperative represents 230 family growers at the heart of Valpolicella Classico. The Domaso single-vineyard Amarone from a 14-hectare parcel on the Maternigo hill is the flagship. Open cellar door with no appointment needed.
Tasting: Shop and tasting room open to visitors in Negrar; walk-in friendly.
Signature wines: cantina-negrar-amarone-classico, cantina-negrar-domaso
Sisters Alessandra and Meri Tessari run this compact estate in the village of Soave producing Classico and the single-cru Monte Carbonare from centenarian Garganega vines on volcanic tufa soils.
Tasting: Tasting visits by appointment in the village of Soave.
Signature wines: suavia-soave-classico, suavia-monte-carbonare, suavia-amedeo
The reference producer for Soave since 1880, Pieropan produces single-vineyard bottlings La Rocca (volcanic tufa) and Calvarino (basalt and limestone) that define what world-class Garganega can achieve. Certified organic by Suolo e Salute since 2012.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Soave cellar; bookable via the website.
Signature wines: pieropan-soave-classico, pieropan-la-rocca, pieropan-calvarino
One of the oldest estates in Bardolino, with records dating to 1649, Guerrieri Rizzardi operates vineyards on both Lake Garda shores and in Valpolicella. The on-site Museo del Vino is one of Italy's leading wine museums.
Tasting: Wine museum Museo del Vino di Bardolino on-site; open daily including tasting flight.
Signature wines: guerrieri-rizzardi-bardolino-classico, guerrieri-rizzardi-tacchetto-chiaretto
The defining estate of Breganze DOC in Vicenza, founded by the Maculan family in 1947. Fausto Maculan's Torcolato dessert wine from dried Vespaiola grapes and the Bordeaux-blend Fratta are the zone's most celebrated bottles.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Breganze cellar; Torcolato dessert wine and Fratta flagship poured.
Signature wines: maculan-torcolato, maculan-fratta, maculan-acininobili
Situated in the medieval village of Arqua Petrarca on the Euganean Hills, Vignalta is a benchmark producer for the Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG passito from Moscato Giallo and the red Gemola IGT.
Tasting: Visits and tasting at Arqua Petrarca; the Fior d'Arancio DOCG and Colli Euganei reds are the focus.
Signature wines: vignalta-fior-darancio-passito, vignalta-gemola
Founded in 1889 at the Lake Garda waterfront in Bardolino, Cantine Campagnola is one of the appellation's oldest estates producing light, food-friendly Bardolino Superiore DOCG and a range of Valpolicella.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Bardolino cellar; daily opening.
Signature wines: campagnola-bardolino-classico, campagnola-valpolicella-classico
The Magnabosco family's estate on the volcanic hillsides east of Soave Classico produces well-structured Soave Superiore DOCG from the Casette Foscarin vineyard on high-elevation basalt terraces.
Tasting: Tasting visits at the Soave estate by appointment.
Signature wines: monte-tondo-casette-foscarin
ICEA-certified organic estate at Colognola ai Colli producing Soave Classico and Valpolicella from certified-organic vineyards. A pioneer of organic viticulture in the Soave zone.
Tasting: Organic estate visits and tastings by appointment at Colognola ai Colli.
Signature wines: fasoli-gino-soave-classico-mael