08 October 2024 / Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency
The campaign focuses on making Lake Balaton not just a summer destination, but a year-round gastronomic experience. The idea for the project was inspired by a brand survey conducted earlier this year. For Hungarians, the first 25 terms associated with the lake do not include wine, even though the region boasts six excellent wine districts with award-winning wines. The Balaton Wine Bar would like to help wine producers who agree to be open from Thursday to Sunday and offer visitors a welcome drink, a 15% discount on any bill over HUF 10,000, or a bottle of wine as a gift after consumption. The strength of the four-season Balaton idea is proven by the fact that wineries are happy to welcome guests even during harvest. "Lake Balaton is not just a place for bathing. In fact, it is one of the largest wine-producing areas in Hungary," said Péter Princzinger, CEO of VisitBalaton365. "With a rich selection of autumn drinks, must, fine wines and of course sparkling wines, we welcome everyone to the Balaton Wine Bar, whether you are a connoisseur or just getting to know wine. Discover the wines of Lake Balaton, either as a stand-alone programme or after a trip, tour or cultural programme."
Pál Rókusfalvy, the government commissioner responsible for national wine marketing, also likes to discover the country's wine tourism treasures and travels around the country whenever he can. He stressed that "the current Hungarian Wine Marketing Agency campaign aims to draw attention to the tourist treasures of our country's wine regions. The Balaton region holds a special place in my heart not only in my personal experience but also for wine; just think, this region has already given the world five Winemakers of the Winemakers!"
Tamás Tornai, President of the Balaton Wine Region Council, said that "now the wider surroundings of the lake are coming to life, with many hillside vineyards waiting to be discovered. There is life in the cellars, in the wine bubbling away and in the sound of the corking machines. How different Petőfi's impetuous and Márai's melancholic thoughts on wine and vineyards are, yet their greatness grips everyone, taking them all the way to the wine cellar, be it in Füred, Badacsony, Somló or Boglár."
BalatonBor, the region’s uniform wine brand created by the Balaton Circle, has been in existence for 10 years. President Gábor Pach considers the four-season idea and the Balaton Wine Bar, which fits with this, to be important. "There are plenty of attractions and restaurants open all year round. Complemented by the excellent wineries that are always present, we offer a meaningful way to spend time throughout the region. In our fast-paced world, the "quiet" Lake Balaton offers a great opportunity for relaxation, active tourism, sailing, chatting with friends and sipping a good glass of BalatonBor wine or a few sips of pálinka in good company.
According to Győző Dobosi, project manager of BalatonBor, "wine tourism boasts great potential for wineries producing BalatonBor, as wine consumption combined with experiences not only provides a richer experience, but also greatly increases direct sales. We are looking forward to showing even more wine-loving visitors the beauty of the season and the specialness of our wines during the autumn campaign."
"The members of the Rizling Generation also believe that the season does not end with the harvest, although we are a little distracted by it, and there are many events in the area during this period," said President Barna Barabás. "For example, the ‘Murci (Must) Festival in Füred, or the harvest parades in October. Lake Balaton is also full of life and boasts meaningful programmes for everyone."
Ottó Légli, the 2010 winner of Winemaker of the Winemakers, said, "For me, the real question is when we can put the Balaton, considered a wonderful, excellent place by everyone, on the world wine map. I am confident that the "Balaton Wine Bar" will help us in this task."
For more information:
www.visitbalaton365.hu
www.balatonbar.hu
