Nagyrada producer near Kis-Balaton making white, rosé and red wines from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and red varieties.
The producer
Cezar Winery is based in Nagyrada near Kis-Balaton and is surrounded by approximately 100 hectares of vines. Its range spans white, rosé and red wines, with bottled and bag in box formats. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec appear among the varieties named for the range. The house style is fruit driven, with some wines aged in oak. Luis Fuentes is named as chief oenologist.
Known for
White, rosé and red wines from Zala
Notable facts
The winery building has approximately 2,500 square metres of useful area, including fermentation, grape processing, cold storage and barrique spaces.
Before harvest, the winery repeatedly samples grapes to determine the ideal picking date.
Approximately 80% of the harvest is done with combines, while manual harvest is preferred for higher quality bottled wines.
Red wines may mature in stainless steel, 225 litre barriques or Tuscan amphorae depending on quality category.
The story
A Factory Becomes A Winery
In 1996, three Swedish businessmen bought the former Littke Champagne factory from Pannonvin Ltd. and founded the company that preceded Cezar Winery. On 1 September 2004, Cezar Winery Ltd. was established as the successor to Pannónia Cézár Ltd. The venture's Nagyrada winery was officially inaugurated on 26 May 2006. The company had begun purchasing vineyards in Nagyrada in 2000. The range spans white, rosé and red wines near Kis-Balaton, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon among the named grapes.
A Factory Becomes A Winery
In 1996, three Swedish businessmen bought the former Littke Champagne factory from Pannonvin Ltd. and founded the company that preceded Cezar Winery. On 1 September 2004, Cezar Winery Ltd. was established as the successor to Pannónia Cézár Ltd. The venture's Nagyrada winery was officially inaugurated on 26 May 2006. The company had begun purchasing vineyards in Nagyrada in 2000. The range spans white, rosé and red wines near Kis-Balaton, with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon among the named grapes.
From the atlas
Cezar Winery
Cezar Winery in Nagyrada near Kis-Balaton, producing white, rosé and red wines from the Zala Wine Region.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Location
Nagyrada near Kis-Balaton, in the Zala Wine Region
Range
White, rosé and red wines
Grapes named
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Formats
Bottled wines and bag in box formats
The Producer
The red planting programme ran from 2001 through 2006 on land acquired from local farming cooperatives and individuals. Cezar Winery's named range includes Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc among the white grapes, with Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon among the red varieties. Luis Fuentes is named as chief oenologist.
Place
Nagyrada is in the Zala Wine Region near Kis-Balaton. Zala is relatively cool and moderately sunny, with 700 to 800 mm of annual rainfall. Its soils are sandy and clayey deposits from the former Pannonian Sea, with loess and predominantly brown forest and loamy soils. Sandy ground drains quickly, while clay and loam hold more moisture. The difference changes water supply and ripening speed, while cooler ripening generally helps grapes retain acidity.
Wines
The white wines are Cezar Kis-Balatoni Chardonnay 2023 and Cezar Kis-Balatoni Sauvignon Blanc 2023. The red wines are Cezar Syrah 2021 and Cezar Kis-Balatoni Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. Rosé is also part of the range.
Cezar's style is fruit driven, and some wines are aged in oak. White and rosé musts ferment with specific yeasts under temperature control at 10 to 18°C for roughly two to three weeks, and malolactic conversion is not used in those wines. Red wines may mature in stainless steel, 225 litre barriques or Tuscan amphorae, depending on quality category.
Final Word
Approximately 100 hectares of vines surround the winery at Nagyrada near Kis-Balaton.