The Wines
Hoffmann's wines are based on purity, simplicity, and the spirit of the place. Chardonnay and Grüner Veltliner are the varieties that have been telling the story of this region for decades.
And the new ones? Kékfrankos, Syrah, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc – these are the ones that will shape the future. Each of our wines embodies the past and the present, the vineyards of Balatonederics and the work of human hands. Our choice of varieties is bold and forward-looking – but have we made the right decision?
Time will tell. In the meantime, taste what wine means to us.
Technology
Modern technology does not dominate us, but rather cooperates with us. We work with minimal intervention because our wines should tell the story of the growing region, not about us.
We believe that technology cannot replace nature, but it can highlight its best aspects. Every step we take is aimed at ensuring that our wines are pure, honest, and enjoyable.
The region gives the character, we just show it. No tricks, no magic tricks—just grapes, Lake Balaton, and a little Hoffmann-style rebellion.
The Estate
The estate lies at the western end of the Balaton Uplands, on brown forest soil formed on dolomite and marl bedrock – not particularly fancy, but just right for us. The wind blows almost constantly, which doesn't make spraying easy, but at least it dries the foliage quickly, which is not conducive to fungal diseases. The proximity of Lake Balaton slightly mitigates the summer heat – just enough to maintain balance in the wine.
Some of the vines date back to the 1980s – Chardonnay, Green Veltliner – while others are recent plantings: Kékfrankos, Syrah, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc. Some preserve the past, while others write the future.
The Brand
We didn't want something beautiful. We wanted something that would spark thought. Just as wine does not copy the previous vintage, our labels do not conform to any template. They are unique. They are bold. Sometimes they are confusing.
There is a message behind every Hoffmann's label. It's like a half-finished sentence that you have to complete. Just as our wines are not simple or straightforward, neither are our labels. They don't appeal to everyone. We don't follow a path, we build one. Our labels are expressions of this—characterful, thought-provoking, sometimes contradictory signs on the bottle.
The Winemaker - Szonja Novák
Although I wasn't born in a wine region, wine somehow found me. It came into my life ten years ago, and it hasn't let go since. I've been working as a winemaker at Hoffmann's since 2021, when we started building the cellar, the space, and the story together.
I am fortunate: I have been able to learn from people who not only make wine, but also think about it. Attila Homonna, István Ipacs Szabó—and many other friends and colleagues—have shaped and continue to shape my outlook.
Every vintage is different, just like me. This whole thing is not routine—it's development. Work. Decisions. And everything I'm learning goes into every single bottle.
Hoffmann - József Hoffmann
He doesn't seek the limelight, but somehow he's always there when something's happening. He's the type who knows what to do next even when others are still tying their shoelaces.
For wine, it's about work, decision-making, and consistency. But at the same time, there's also that kind of punk bohemianism that can't be learned—you have to be born with it.
Wines are like him. They are unique and full of character. They are not always smooth, but they are always honest. And that's what makes it all work.
