A Filipino-American businessman from New York is revolutionising Tokaj while simultaneously owning a Loire legend – this story sounds too mad to be true. Since 1997, the Királyudvar estate has embodied this extraordinary connection between two worlds of noble sweet wines. Anthony Hwang transformed the former purveyor to the Habsburg court into one of the most ambitious producers in Tokaj through biodynamic methods and international expertise. From bone-dry Furmint via the region's first Pezsgő to the legendary Eszencia, wines of uncompromising quality are created here. István Szepsy, and today Szabolcs Juhász, shape the winemaking across 75 hectares of top vineyard sites.
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In all wines: 1,380 Wines
More about Királyudvar
The liaison between the Loire and Tokaj
Anthony Hwang’s wine empire unites two icons of the sweet wine world: the Loire with its Domaine Huet and Tokaj with Királyudvar. This unique constellation enables a transfer of knowledge that benefits both regions. Noël Pinguet, winemaker at Huet, accompanied the biodynamic conversion in Tokaj, while Jean-Bernard Berthomé later maintained the link between the two estates. The Tokaji Pezsgő “Henye” Brut Nature 2018 was born directly from the inspiration of Huet’s pétillant tradition – a world first in Tokaj.
Terroir expression at the highest level
The Grand Cru sites Lapis and Henye form the heart of the 75 hectares, complemented by Percze, Becsek, Danczka and Nyulászó. Szabolcs Juhász, head winemaker since 2009 and a pupil of the Tokaj legend Zoltán Demeter, interprets these exceptional terroirs using biodynamic methods. The Furmint grape reveals its full range – from mineral Sec to concentrated Aszú component. The Tokaji Furmint Demi-Sec 2022 displays the off-dry middle ground of this great grape variety, with ripe pear, quince and anise, a saline vein and fine, lively acidity.
From the Aszú renaissance to Eszencia perfection
István Szepsy, co-founder and first winemaker, laid the foundations for Királyudvar’s Aszú renaissance. The 6 Puttonyos system is applied here with scientific precision and artisanal perfection. The Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Aszú 2012 embodies this philosophy in its most accomplished form. At the pinnacle of the hierarchy stands the Eszencia – the legendary nectar made from the free-run juice of botrytised berries, which requires decades of ageing.
Biodynamic pioneering work since 2008
Királyudvar has worked entirely biodynamically since 2008 – a pioneering role in Tokaj. The conversion was not driven by fashion, but by the conviction that only living soils can fully express the complexity of these unique terroirs. Preparations and lunar cycles govern the work in the vineyard and the cellar. The result is wines of exceptional vitality and longevity, uniting the historical heritage of the royal court with contemporary winemaking.