Budapest’s Wine Revival & the Rise of Furmint

As demand grows for more discovery-led travel, wine-focused trips are shifting away from the usual suspects towards lesser-known regions with strong local identity.

Budapest is starting to benefit from that shift. While Hungary has a winemaking history dating back over 1,000 years, it remains largely underrepresented internationally - with an estimated 60–70% of production consumed domestically and only a relatively small proportion exported compared to Western European counterparts. As a result, much of what’s available in Hungary is difficult to find elsewhere, giving the destination genuine “insider” appeal.

At the centre of this is Furmint, Hungary’s flagship grape. Best known for its role in Tokaj’s historic sweet wines, it is increasingly being produced in dry styles - typically high-acid, mineral-driven and often compared to Chablis or dry Riesling. This change is being led by smaller producers and is gaining traction within Budapest’s wine bars and restaurants.

Hungary’s wine landscape is also shaped by its structure. The country has over 60,000 hectares of vineyards, but holdings are highly fragmented, with average vineyard sizes around 2-3 hectares. Much of the production remains family-run, which supports a more artisanal approach but limits scale and export volume.

Kimpton BEM Budapest taps directly into the growing wine scene. The hotel has a clear focus on Hungarian wine, with a team that’s genuinely passionate about championing local producers and helping guests navigate the scene. Located on the Buda side, it’s well positioned for exploring both the city’s wine bars and the surrounding regions and can arrange tailored vineyard visits and tastings. Back at the hotel, guests can get a proper introduction through curated in-house tastings, showcasing smaller Hungarian wineries that are rarely exported and difficult to find outside the country.

Key regions within easy reach of Kimpton BEM Budapest include:

•  Tokaj – a UNESCO-listed region known for volcanic soils and complex, age-worthy wines, now producing increasingly well-regarded dry Furmint alongside its sweet styles.
• Etyek-Buda – often referred to as Hungary’s “vineyard of Budapest”, known for fresh whites and traditional-method sparkling wines due to its limestone soils and cooler climate.
• Somló – one of Hungary’s smallest regions, producing intensely mineral wines from basalt soils, often described as having a distinctive saline character.

Budapest itself has developed a growing network of wine bars and tasting spaces, including DiVino and Drop Shop, where indigenous varieties such as Furmint, Hárslevelű and Kékfrankos are the focus. This local-first approach reflects the wider market - Hungarian wines are far more visible on domestic lists than international ones.

Nearby producers include:

•  Törley Sparkling Wine Cellar – founded in 1882, now producing around half of Hungary’s sparkling wine, with cellar tours in Budafok.
• Etyeki Kúria – a key estate in the Etyek-Buda region, known for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wines.
• Garamvári – a family-run producer near Lake Balaton, specialising in traditional-method sparkling wines and long lees ageing.

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Editors notes

Rates at Kimpton BEM Budapest start from € 200 per night. The rate is based on double occupancy. For more information, visit https://kimptonbembudapest.com/ 

About Kimpton BEM Budapest

The opening of Kimpton BEM Budapest in September 2024 marked Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ first boutique luxury hotel in Hungary and their first property in Eastern Europe. Set within a restored 19th-century mansion on the Buda side of the Danube, the 127-room property – including 8 suites – has been designed by Dutch visionary Marcel Wanders (one of just ten fortunate hotels he’s designed in the last two decades of his career, with Kimpton BEM Budapest being his final project). The hotel’s interiors draw inspiration from Hungarian folklore and yet are contemporary in design, with features ranging from upside-down egg-shaped reception desks to a glass atrium showcasing a golden stag.

 Kimpton BEM Budapest offers views across the river to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and places guests within easy reach of the UNESCO-listed Castle District, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Budapest’s famed bathing culture. Three inventive dining concepts form part of the experience, underpinned by a strong sustainability ethos that incorporates energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and a commitment to local sourcing. Their restaurant AGOS has been awarded two Toques by Gault&Millau, and is amongst the Top 35 Restaurants in Hungary. Wellness is also central to the hotel, with a tranquil spa and treatments influenced by the city’s thermal history and heritage.

As part of IHG’s Low Carbon Pioneer program, Kimpton BEM Budapest leads the way in sustainable hospitality with energy-efficient systems, eco-certified suppliers, and a deep commitment to local sourcing and environmental responsibility. They have also been awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2025 and have been chosen as Tripadvisor’s number one Luxury Hotel in Hungary.

The Kimpton group has around 79 hotels currently open globally. With two hotels opening in 2025, Kimpton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with 471 rooms, and Kimpton Sicily, Italy, which is opening late 2025.

With more exciting new openings happening in 2026:

• Kimpton Era Midtown New York, USA – 529 rooms
• Kimpton Bali Ubud, Indonesia – 101 rooms
• Kimpton Dubai, UAE – 280 rooms
• Kimpton Quinta da Marinha Cascais, Portugal

Press kit available to download here.

@kimptonbembudapest | @agos.restaurant | @barhuso | @fennen.skybar 

UK Press Enquiries:

Charlotte Williams, Elinor Fresson, and Magda Maslanka at Lemongrass Travel PR

E: KimptonBEMBudapest@lemongrassmarketing.com

T: +44 (0)1865 237 990