Somlószőlős Between Wine and Castle History

• KABOR Somlói Borbirtok offers a tasting package featuring four wines, including Olaszrizling, Furmint and Juhfark. The wines included may vary.
• Zichy Castle is heavily dilapidated, and its grounds are neglected as well. Its condition may change.
• In the destination’s nearby surroundings, Erdődy Castle in Doba has a well-maintained 91-hectare English landscape garden.

At KABOR Somlói Borbirtok, the focus is a tasting package comprising four wines. The three named varieties offer a concrete impression of the wine selection; however, since the selection may change, you should not assume that the lineup will remain the same. For wine enthusiasts, this is a clear culinary point of interest in Somlószőlős.

The local landscape is also shaped by its castle history: Count Zichy Manó had Zichy Castle built. Today, the building is heavily dilapidated, and its grounds are neglected as well. The castle’s history and condition go hand in hand here; it should therefore not be mistaken for a restored estate. Since its condition may change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before visiting.

A different experience awaits in the destination’s nearby surroundings. In Doba, the well-maintained English landscape garden at Erdődy Castle covers 91 hectares. While the history and condition of Zichy Castle shape its significance in Somlószőlős, the expansive garden is the main attraction in Doba. Check its current condition before visiting.

In the wider destination of Northern Lake Balaton, boat trips and a guided exhibition called “Csodálatos karszt” (“Wonderful Karst”) are among the offerings at Tapolca Lake Cave. The cave is part of an underground cave system beneath the town, which has so far been explored over a length of 14.6 kilometres. This combines a specific visitor offering with a geological dimension that reaches beyond Somlószőlős’s local history.

Hegyestű offers another perspective on the landscape across the wider destination. The 337-metre-high mountain lies between Zánka and Monoszló; the inner structure of a basalt volcano that was active around eight million years ago is exposed there. At the western edge of the quarry grounds, visitors can use a panoramic information board to identify the surrounding hills. A rock garden also showcases characteristic rock types from Transdanubia, the western half of Hungary. The cave and volcanic landscape thus offer distinct regional themes alongside Somlószőlős’s wine and castle heritage.

When looking for hotels in Somlószőlős, consider whether your trip is mainly focused on the local wine and castle heritage or also includes other highlights of the wider Northern Lake Balaton destination. The regional offerings mentioned belong to the broader destination and can be considered as separate points in your itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Somlóvásárhely, Nagyalásony, Városlőd, Ajka, Magyarpolány, Kislőd, Halimba, Úrkút.

Can the selection in the wine package change?

Yes. The wines included may vary. Olaszrizling, Furmint and Juhfark are among those mentioned.

Who had Zichy Castle built?

Count Zichy Manó had the castle in Somlószőlős built.

What can you see at the Herend Porcelain Museum?

In the wider destination of Northern Lake Balaton, the museum has a permanent exhibition and changing exhibitions about the history of the Herend manufactory.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Ajka.