Blessing the vines and the grapes to celebrate St Vincent, patron saint of growers. In days gone by growers would trek out to a vineyard – with sausage, lard and bread packed carefully – to celebrate! On their return they cut the “Vincent cane” which was set in water in the home. And this tradition is being rejuvenated in several settlements here, including Tokaj.

Local wineries of the Szerelmi Cellar Row bring their wines to be blessed and guests can join several tastings. Previous events have included a traditional pig killing, with all the local specialities such as blood sausage, sausage, fried meat and sauerkraut dish. Open cellars in this historic wine area.

As the saying goes, “If the suns shines bright on St Vincent’s Day, the cellar will fill with wine.”

So, let’s hope for some sun!

Programme

Blessing the vines and the wines

Open cellars at the Szerelmi Cellar Rowincent Day, Tokaj

It’s also a celebration of Tokaj on this day. Events are in Hungarian.

A tokaji pincesoron megtartott rendezvényen a szőlőszentelés és a borszentelés mellett bórkostolókon vehetnek részt a program iránt érdeklődők. Meet the winemakers in person and taste their wines in a special place, the Tokaj Cellar Row.

Pig-killing delicacies including fried sausage, liver sausage, fried meat (lacipecsenye) and a special pork cabbage dish (toroskáposzta). Tickets for lunch and wine tating can be bought at the cellar row.