Tokaj Wine Region experts - tour guides and websites on wine and wineries, food and tastings, photos and design

Would you like to find out more about the Tokaj Wine Region? Several experts specialise in various areas of the Tokaj Wine Region (vineyards, wines, food, architecture, history, design and photography) providing excellent websites and services.

Some live here, most have been visiting all their adult life, and their delight, passion and immersion shine through their work, knowledge and approach. They have “grown up with the winemakers and other key figures” and they still accompany and guide the Tokaj Wine Region / guests on its / their journey. Not only that, they all share an exceptional level of communication in English and openness. Thank you :)

They are intimately involved with the renaissance in the Tokaj Wine Region (often playfully, cooperatively). The share their loves and curiosities with us through unique projects that help us explore our historic wine region in various ways. Let me introduce some experts who you’re more likely to meet in person or read online to discover Tokaj to deepen your experience of this wonderful wine region.

Websites and visit planning

Fountain of quality and reliable news and information from knowledgeable Tokaj lover, allrounder and linguist Gergely Somogyi, who arranges and accompanies excellent personal wine adventures. Reliable and friendly, Gergely is well-aquainted with many winemakers and service providers and offers a wide range of services. Great overview of Tokaj history here.

Discover Tokaj(i) in Budapest or here through long-time Tokaj visitor Gergely Ripka‘s thematic tastings or visits to the World Heritage region Tokaj Magic. He also offers a collection of Tokaj stock photos and a wide range of wine writings (Hungarian) on his blog Dancing Bear. His Tokaj Guide, a comprehensive account of the widest range of wines and wineries in the region, was voted Best European Wine Book in 2022 at Gourmand International Awards at the World Cookbook Fair. Accumulated knowledge of the region, the wines and the winemakers shines through his book (already in its third edition).

And established specialists Carolyn and Gábor Bánfalvi and their team at Taste Hungary and Tasting Table that bring Tokaj and Hungary (e.g. market tour) to Budapest (US) in a friendly and knowledgable way, or you to the Tokaj Wine Region. The blog is a spectacular journey through wines and foods of Hungary. A delight and essential reference. Journalist and writer Carolyn has written several books in addition to the plethora of informative arictles: Food Wine Budapest (Little Bookroom) and the Food and Wine Lover’s Guide to Hungary: With Budapest Restaurants and Trips to the Wine Country (Park Kiadó).

Adrienn Tobiás‘s more general guidebook Essential Guide: The Tokaj Wine Region which includes accommodation, food and drink and activities throughout the region, including a wide range of thematic tours to adventure park, castles, the Rákóczi heritage, Jewish heritage.

A true cultural cuisine adventure with seed-swap organiser artist Gabő Barta at Terrapolis Garden and Table in Tarcal. Gabó provides visual and taste sensations from her exciting and thriving permaculture-inspired garden that challenge our perceptions, expand our minds and hearts, deepening connection to nature. “I tend to a garden in Tarcal, Tokaj region, Hungary, in a spectacular but hidden spot, using various methods including permaculture. Terrapolis guests can enjoy seasonal food.” Book your visit for a unique experience!

Hungry Grape with Szilvi Magyar organises fun, informative and intimate tours and tastings centred in Erdőbénye, visiting vineyards, picnics, star gazing, mushroom hunting, and more in coopeation withHellóBénye. Stunning design guaranteed. Living art embraces.

Gabriella Mészáros, informed educator since 1991 and founder of Wine College of Budapest WSET training centretaught by top journalists, sommeliers and wine experts, writer of numerous wine classic wine books in Hungarian and English

Central European wines, culture and life at WineSofa, including Tokaj, with long-time friends wine writers and educators at Wine College Budapest (too) Dániel Ercsey and Sue Tolson writer with her own Wine Snob blog are also welcome visitors.

Edit Szabó brings warmth in her writing about Tokaj often for Borsmenta, supporting events by her presence and promotion. A regular speaker at festivals :

No list would be complete without academic, writer turned winemaker László Alkonyi who wrote prolifically about Tokaj: Tokaj – Dűlőmitológia Birtokok és borok 2001-2002, Tokaj – Iránytű borkedvelőknek, Vigyázz, kész, rajt: Bor!, Tokaj: The Wine of Freedom – A szabadság bora

Eszter Fűszeres who has online, cooking school for max 6 people for around 4 hours (eat what you prepare) and Erdőbénye presence. All-round foodie (published author, blogger, event organiser, Jewish cuisine, market organiser) gives mouthwatering recipes.

Designers and photographers

Zsolt Szentirmai, (web)designer and photographer with his graphic studio has stunningly captured the first years of most wine region festivals organised and creates iconic logos for leading events including Furmint Februar, popular monthly Tokaj-Hegyalja Artisan Market at the Sárga Borház Restuarant and Bor, Mámor Bénye festival in the winemakers’ gardens, as well as supporting visual and branding aspects (wine labels, photos, websites,…) for winemakers across the region.

Photographer Ferenc Dancsecs revolutionalised food photography in the region in particular. We who live here and have the pleasure of experimenting with our local wines and our dinner know Tokaji wines are exceedingly food friendly – and his fabulous Furmint Photo sensually portray their wider sensory nature. A talented photographer with a feel for Tokaj(i).

Friends from further afield. I can never name all of them – I don’t know you yet. But maybe you can get in touch to add yourself. We’d love to hear from you and meet you.

Wojciech Bońkowski MW – multilingual supreme taster and influencer with amazingly wide interests and knoledge of taste in wine, tea and more.

Maciej Nowicki – journalist friend who also joins us at our wine festivals. He , publicises and participates, bringing Tokaji wines closer to Polish speakers.

Gabriel Kurczewski – researcher shares incredible historical documents and original sources fleshing out the picture of Polish-Hungary relations already existing hundreds of years ago. Regular visitor, historian and documentor, he also writes and presents history.

If you know anyone else, I would love bring them here with pictures and their stories.

Let me / us know. I apologise for missing them and I’ll gladly add them. Send the links you’d like to include. Let’s cooperate bravely and build strong thriving artistic and visionary community in all respects :)

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