The Takler estate has been enhancing the reputation of Hungarian wines, and particularly those from Szekszárd, both at home and abroad for nearly three decades. The founder, Ferenc Takler, named Winemaker of the Year in 2004, manages his estate comprising 80 hectares, with his two sons, Ferenc Jr. and András. Since their first vintage in 1995, they have paid special attention to local varieties, above all kékfrankos and the Szekszárd bikavér blend. They produce five different kinds of kékfrankos, with particular care devoted to vineyard-selected wines from Szenta-hegy and Gurovica. Their wines combine substance with finesse, varietal precision and excellent ageing potential. Today, the Takler Wine Estate and Mansion, located 8 km from Szekszárd, has become one of the region’s most popular destinations, offering accommodation, a restaurant and an extensive wellness centre in a romantic setting.

Category-winner wine: Örökség (Heritage) Kadarka 2024

The Taklers chose the name Heritage for their wines filled in Szekszárd Bottles for a good reason. The family has always been proud of kadarka, the region’s oldest, most distinctive and unique grape variety. This item ranks among their finest kadarkas to date, born of an excellent vintage, when everything was in place for success and yielded a wine of real substance and vibrancy, a kadarka through and through. The fruit was sourced 60% from the P9 clone, 35% from new clones and 5% from old, goblet-trained vines, with a tightly controlled low yield. The variety’s characteristic spiciness dominates in the nose and the palate, complemented by notes of fresh raspberry and cherry, with a touch of pomegranate lending it ever more vibrancy.