Vinalia x Tóth Ferenc, Leányka

Tóth Ferenc - affectionately known as Uncle Feri - and his wife embarked on their winegrowing journey back in 1983. A passionate advocate for rare grape varieties like Kadarka and Leányka, Tóth Ferenc has significantly contributed to the Eger region’s viticultural landscape, earning him the prestigious Hungarian Order of Merit for his efforts in 2017. In 2005, his daughter Katalin and son-in-law Zoltán joined, enhancing the winery's legacy and championing the official recognition of Egri Csillag (the region's flagship white wine) into appellation law.

The Felső-Magyarországi wine region in northern Hungary boasts a rich viticultural history dating back to Roman times. Known for its diverse terroir, the region produces an array of wines, with robust reds like Kékfrankos and Cabernet Sauvignon thriving in its warmer southern areas. Cooler northern sites favor aromatic whites, including Olaszrizling and the indigenous Leányka, renowned for its floral notes.

With its plantings confined almost entirely to Eger and its neighboring regions, Leányka is a rare Hungarian indigenous grape variety. Today, its vineyard area counts less than 1,000 hectares. Leányka means "maiden" in Hungarian, a translation it shares with more widespread Romanian variety Feteascǎ Albǎ. In fact, the two grapes were long believed identical, though genetic test has now dispelled this myth; they are unrelated.