Royal Tokaji

Vineyards

Royal Tokaji owns a unique combination of first and second growth vineyards that have always been privately owned. From these historic vineyards, Royal Tokaji produces several exceptional wines, including four single-vineyard Aszú wines.

Szt. Tamás (SAINT tah-mahsh)

First growth 
Royal Tokaji owns parcels of the Szt. Tamás vineyard that are located north of the Nyulászó vineyard on southwest- and southeast-facing slopes at nearly 230 meters (750 feet), overlooking the winery’s cellars. Named for the apostle Saint Thomas, the vineyard’s red volcanic-clay soil is high in iron oxide and has the ability to retain moisture well, a characteristic helpful in drought years. Wines produced from grapes grown here have a lovely, pure fruitiness, nice acidity and good agability.

Nyulászó (NEW-lah-zoh)

First growth
The first vineyard that Royal Tokaji purchased was a portion of Nyulászó, one of the most well-known vineyards in Tokaj. “Nyulászó” comes from an ancient Hungarian word meaning “to catch hares.” The vineyard is located on south-, southwest- and southeast-facing slopes overlooking the village of Mád. The grapes grown here produce lively, elegant and highly-perfumed wines, characteristics typically associated with wine grapes grown in loess soil, even though Nyulászó is predominantly red volcanic-clay with only pockets of loess soil. Because of this unusual soil composition, the wines that are made from Nyulászó’s grapes are the most complex wines in the Royal Tokaji portfolio.

Betsek (bet-SHEK)

First growth
Royal Tokaji owns a small part of the Betsek vineyard. Named after an old Hungarian family name, Betsek is shaped like a crescent moon and faces northeast. The area where the vineyard is located is typically cold — lower portions have been known to freeze in the spring. The black volcanic topsoil contributes to the mineral and lovely black-pepper characters in the wine.

Mézes Mály (MEES-zesh my)

Great first growth
Royal Tokaji owns more than half of Mézes Mály, one of only two vineyards in all of Tokaj to be named as a great first growth in the classification of 1700. It has since been referred to as “pro mensa caesaris primus haberi,” or “to be the first choice at the royal table,” — an honorable distinction likened to Château d’Yquem’s status in Bordeaux. Located on a south-facing slope, “Mézes Mály,” or “honeycomb,” is Royal Tokaji’s only vineyard with loess topsoil, providing the wines with honey and floral characteristics. These wines are softer than other Royal Tokaji wines grown in vineyards with volcanic-clay topsoil.