In the family winery we can find dry furmints, types from late harvest, szamorodni, aszú and from 2003 also champaigns.

Endre Demeter: the Tattooed winemaker from Tokaj

Meet Endre Demeter, one of Tokaj’s ‘coolest’ underground winemakers - who traded a career in law to return back to his roots and run his family's wine estate ‘Demetervin’ in Mád, Hungary.

A fan of extreme sports such as motorcycle racing and car building, Demeter's approach to winemaking is modern, innovative and experimental. To feel and understand the cycle of mother nature, he says you can only make quality wine if you live and breathe it.

According to Demeter, Tokaj is a wine region like no other. Its natural treasures, its World Heritage status, and its people are part of what makes it so special.

‘Our goal at Demetervin wines is to sustain the landscape and culture we have inherited, and precisely express the union of land and the man who creates from it - the terroir. Our vineyards are located in the Király, Kakas and Úrágya. Organic agriculture is one of my principles, so I still use the original handmade technic, called bakművelésű.’ Demeter says. ‘We ferment vines in a natural way, and I am proud that our wines are fully handmade. The Mádi Kör Eredetvédelmi Egyesület (Association for Mád Wine Origin Protection)- which works with great winemakers like István Szepsy. Károly Áts, Gábor Orosz- sets strict requirements for the winemakers in order to maintain our region’s high quality. At the same time, they also give professional and friendly support which is priceless.’

Endre Demeter's tattoos are the inspiration for the labels of the Demetervin wines. – © Studio Bakos

The successful family winery has since grown from three hectares to eight. It offers accommodation facilities, wine tastings and tours.

Demetervin wine products such as ‘Délceg’ and ‘Élvezet’ are receiving increasing attention and acclaim. After many years of experimentation, the winery now produces its own sparkling wine as well.

‘The volcanoes of Mád infuse the wines of this region with a totally unique character,’ says Demeter. ‘Our job is to show these qualities in their best light: to make wine from harmonious and happy grapes, using natural and traditional methods without compromise in the search for perfection.’