A glass of wine, a breathtaking panorama, and time stands still
There is a place in Csopak where it is easy to forget the time. Lake Balaton sparkles before you, rows of vines surround you and there is a good wine in your glass. At St. Donát Borkúria, that is all it takes to turn an ordinary afternoon into a special experience.
The plant-covered white manor on the vineyard hillside, the dining space furnished with natural wood and the terrace with its exceptional views create a distinctive atmosphere. It feels good to sit down, sip slowly, gaze at the lake and let the conversation flow naturally.
Today, St. Donát welcomes visitors primarily as a wine bar and winery. Alongside a glass of wine, you can choose delicious small bites, cake or even house-roasted specialty coffee. This is not a place for grand feasts, but for small pleasures, interesting flavours and the simple joy of enjoying the moment.
Wines that capture the Balaton Uplands
St. Donát’s wines tell the stories of three distinctive wine landscapes, made from grapes grown in Csopak, Tihany and the Káli Basin. The estate focuses on nature-minded, organic viticulture and preserving each vineyard’s character.
It is worth getting to know HEMATIT Olaszrizling, which evokes the mineral character of Csopak’s terroirs. SLIKKER Olaszrizling comes from a vineyard with iron-rich red soil, while MAGMA Kékfrankos brings Tihany’s volcanic landscape into the glass.
If you enjoy discovering the many different faces of a single wine region, a tasting here can be a real pleasure. And the panorama somehow makes every sip taste even better.
In the winery’s online shop, for example, HEMATIT Olaszrizling 2025 costs HUF 4,950 and MÁRGA Furmint 2025 HUF 8,050 per bottle. These are online shop prices; on-site consumption and guided tasting prices may differ.
Explore the cellar where the wines’ story continues!
One of St. Donát’s most exciting experiences is the impressive wine cellar tucked beneath the terrace. Gothic brick vaults more than five metres high create an extraordinary atmosphere. Built from 200-year-old bricks, the cellar evokes both traditional wine cellars and the refined elegance of contemporary winemaking.
The guided “Wines by Soil” tasting introduces you to marl, red sandstone and basalt tuff through the wines. Discovering how the growing site shapes the character of each sip is fascinating. The programme also includes a visit to the distinctive cellar.
For something truly unusual, the Balatoni olíva programme reveals another side of the region, with olive oil tasting taking centre stage. It is a great opportunity to explore the flavours of the Balaton Uplands beyond wine.
Check the official St. Donát website for visiting and tasting options.
When the panorama becomes part of the celebration
It is hard to imagine a more romantic backdrop for an intimate celebration than this vine-surrounded manor with Lake Balaton stretching out behind it. St. Donát also offers options for small weddings, family celebrations and special gatherings.
The estate can be hired exclusively for pre-arranged events of up to 40 guests. A sunset barbecue dinner, a glass of Csopak wine and views of the Balaton Uplands can provide a truly memorable setting for a celebration.
Read the details on the estate’s events page.
Do not just taste Balaton: admire it too!
St. Donát Borkúria is not a place to arrive in a rush. It is much better to allow time to choose a wine, taste something delicious and simply lose yourself in the view.
Come as a couple for a romantic glass of wine, with friends for an easy-going afternoon, or even alone when you want a short escape from everyday life. Balaton looks quite different from here: calmer, more elegant and almost tangibly beautiful.
Why visit? Because few places bring together fine wines, beautiful vineyard hills and a Balaton panorama so naturally. At St. Donát, you do not need a special occasion for the day to feel special. A good glass of wine, a free afternoon and a view that is hard to leave are enough.
Worth a taste
SLIKKER Olaszrizling, a speciality of Csopak's red soil
There is something particularly exciting about a glass of wine containing the story of an entire landscape. SLIKKER Olaszrizling comes from the iron-rich red soil of the historic Csopak vineyard. A wine with character, eager to express its growing site, it deserves to be sipped slowly and with curiosity. Imagine holding the cool glass, looking out over Balaton and letting every sip linger a little longer in your memory.
Local tip
One more sip with the view!
If you can, choose a table on the panoramic terrace and order two different Olaszrizlings side by side! HEMATIT and SLIKKER are an excellent way to discover how many characters a single grape variety can have. If time allows, complete the afternoon with a cellar visit arranged in advance.
The BalatonEats meal plan
How to put your meal together
- 01HEMATIT Olaszrizling 2025
Start with something truly Csopak! HEMATIT is an organic Olaszrizling with a mineral character, putting the region's distinctive terroir centre stage. Poured cool into a glass on a sunny terrace, it is particularly tempting. Enjoy a few delicious wine accompaniments alongside and let the fresh wine and Balaton panorama set the tone for your afternoon.
- 02SLIKKER Olaszrizling 2025
Now for an intriguing comparison! The same grape variety, yet a different story: SLIKKER is born on the iron-rich red soil of the famous Csopak vineyard. Taste it slowly, let it linger a moment, then return to a sip of HEMATIT. Discovering the differences between the two wines is an experience in itself. A bite of cheese or another tasty accompaniment can make the tasting even more enjoyable.
- 03MAGMA Kékfrankos 2023
Finish with a little Tihany volcanic character! MAGMA Kékfrankos is a tautly structured, assertive, mineral-style red wine that tells the story of the peninsula's distinctive soil. Swirl it in your glass, notice its aromas, then let its character slowly unfold. A wine for getting absorbed in conversation while the lake below takes on ever-changing colours.
What guests say
What stays with guests?
St. Donát's greatest magic lies in the meeting of its location and its wines. Guests repeatedly highlight the wonderful view, distinctive surroundings and winery atmosphere. Accounts of guided tastings also praise the knowledgeable presentations and cellar visit experience. St. Donát can be especially memorable for those who want not only to drink a good wine, but also to discover the landscape and story that produced it.
Based on Tripadvisor accounts of St. Donat Organic Winery and earlier Facebook, Foursquare and Restaurant Guru reviews of Szent Donát Borkúria. Experiences of the former restaurant were considered separately from today's predominantly wine-bar operation.+
What brings people back
- The stunning Balaton panorama opening up beyond the vineyard hills
- The atmospheric, romantic terrace and elegant tasting room
- Characterful, carefully made Csopak and Tihany wines
- Interesting stories and expert explanations during tastings
- The atmosphere of the distinctive brick-vaulted cellar
- Delicious small bites served with good wines
- Peacefulness and closeness to nature
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Good to know before you go
- Premium wines and programmes can mean higher spending
- Some earlier guests reported less attentive service
- Terrace tables with the best views are not always available
- Seasonally changing hours make advance planning advisable
Photo credits
Seven St. Donát photographs supplied to BalatonEats: one panoramic opening image and six gallery images. They show the estate, cellar, wines and food photography; they do not confirm that every pictured dish is currently available to order.
