Kristinus Borbirtok 'Oliver' 2021

Region: Balatonboglar, Hungary
Grape: Irsai Oliver
Vineyard Size: 5 hectares
Soil: Clay and brown forest soil
Average Age of Vines: 15 years
Farming: biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: short maceration on skins
Aging: on fine lees
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: minimal

Winemaker Florian Zaruba runs the biodynamic wine farm, where a seasonal restaurant and small hotel are also part of the Kristinus property on the southwest shores of Lake Balaton, Hungary. Founded in 2012, the family-owned wine farm has been 100% biodynamic since 2018, after Florian took over as winemaker.

The winemaking is stretching back as far as the ancient Roman times on this part of the lake, the largest lake in central Europe. The diverse land of vineyards, orchards, pastures and forests are relatively close to the lake and currently stand at 60ha in size. The integration of cattle, chickens, sheep and bees have started in 2020. The soil consists of a mixture of clay, loess, sand and limestone.

A high percentage of their wines are skin fermented and aged in large clay amphorae. They use their natural yeasts and there is no fining and filtration and only a very little added sulphite before bottling. Autochtón varieties led by Kékfrankos, Furmint, Olaszrizling and Irsai Oliver all play an important part in their farming concept.