The world of wine – just like jazz – is a place of freedom, uniqueness, and creative expression. No two grapes are alike, no two terroirs are the same. This year, for the first time, Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days is launching a series of masterclasses with the aim of showcasing this unique harmony. It offers a meeting point for those who are not satisfied with mediocrity, who seek quality, the story behind it, and inspiring personalities. These masterclasses are not just themed tastings: they are experience packages where iconic figures of Hungarian winemaking – who have proven themselves at the international forefront – introduce the audience to the most exciting questions of the wine world. Each event offers a true “master and apprentice” experience in the world of top-quality wines and professional secrets.

Masterclass programs:

July 31, 2025 (Thursday) 8:00 p.m.

“Tornai Greats” – The Golden Age of Somló at Tamás Tornai’s master class

The Tornai Winery is one of the most innovative, successful, and internationally recognized wineries
in Hungary. In the winery’s nearly eight decades of history, Tamás Tornai represents the third
generation of winemakers in his family, following in the footsteps of his grandparents. As an
unwavering ambassador for the Somló terroir, Tamás initiated years ago that organic farming should be practiced not only at his winery but throughout the entire Somló wine region, as this lends
credibility to the region’s grape production. They have received the highest award, the Trophy, five times at the International Wine Challenge in London, the world’s most critically acclaimed
competition. The owner of the Tornai Winery demonstrates through a wonderful range of wines how
a volcanic landscape with a unique climate and soil structure can produce world-class, characterful
wines year after year. Somló is eternal: taste it for yourself!

Further information: www.tornaipince.hu

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August 1, 2025 (Friday) 6:00 p.m.

St. Andrea 7 premium item master class

Led by Dr. György Lőrincz

Not only did they build one of the most respected wineries in the Eger wine region from scratch, but
their wines are also recognized both domestically and internationally: St. Andrea Vineyard and the
Lőrincz family have been one of the most iconic winemakers in the Eger wine region for 23 years. A
few years ago, the winery decided to focus exclusively on blends: they only produce Egri Bikavér and
Egri Csillag. At one of the world’s most prestigious wine competitions, the Decanter World Wine Awards, the best fifty wines were selected from nearly 19,000 wines, and St. Andrea Nagy-Eged dűlő Grand Superior 2017 Egri Bikavér wine scored 97 points, winning the Best in Show award and thus ranking among the 50 best wines in the world. The most renowned international wine writer, James Suckling, awarded the 2018 vintage AGAPÉ Nagy-Eged-hegy dűlő Egri Bikavér wine an extremely high 98 points. Their goal is for Egri Bikavér to be mentioned more and more often in the same breath as Brunello, Chianti, and Rioja wines, meaning that its blending characteristics and individuality are recognized. St. Andrea offers 7 premium wines from its own selection, providing a deep insight and unique experience into the world of complexity, elegance and uniqueness.

Further information: www.standrea.com

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August 1, 2025 (Friday) 8:00 p.m.

GROW – The renaissance of Olaszrizling, Central Europe’s old-new star

Master class by wine writer Zoltán Győrffy

It is no coincidence that Olaszrizling was chosen as the featured grape variety at this year's Debrecen
Wine and Jazz Days. Legendary Villány winemaker Zoltán Polgár said of Olaszrizling, “This was once the wine of the Hungarian people.” Olaszrizling remains an extremely important variety in Hungarian wine culture today and can be found in almost all of our wine regions. It can be used to make light wines with fresh, citrusy, crisp acids, as well as deep, oily, layered and frighteningly mineral wines. The variety has many faces, and the character of the wine is limited only by the terroir, the cultivation method and the winemaking technique. As the most important Central European white grape variety, now known as Grow, an international competition has been organized for several years under the name GROW du Monde. This year marked the fourth edition, held in Serbia. One of the founders of GROW du Monde, Zoltán Győrffy, director of relations at the University of Pécs, has lined up seven outstanding Olaszrizling wines to prove that the reinterpretation of this variety is one of the most exciting professional trends in Central Europe. Let’s discover it together in a way we’ve never tasted before!

Further information: www.growdumonde.eu

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August 2, 2025 (Saturday) 6:00 p.m

“Magical Furmints from the Perspective of the Vineyards”
István Szepsy Jr.’s iconic master class

István Szepsy, a legendary name in the world of Tokaj wine, combines tradition with the highest
quality. Few winemakers have transformed a wine region as much as István Szepsy. His family’s Tokaj winemaking roots date back to 1631, when his ancestor first documented the legendary Tokaj Aszú. In recognition of his life's work, István Szepsy Sr. received the Golden Vines Hall of Fame Award in 2022, inducting him into the Hall of Fame. At the event, often referred to as the Oscars of wine, the Szepsy Winery received the 2022 Golden Vines Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe award, meaning it was voted the best winery in Europe. Under the leadership of István Szepsy Jr., we can get to know the dry Furmints of the Szepsy Winery, which rival the complexity of Burgundy white wines. An unparalleled experience awaits you, with several surprises in store!

Further information: https://www.szepsy.hu

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August 2, 2025 (Saturday) 8:00 p.m.
Two master classes on wine regions at the Sauska Winery
Gergely Kovács, commercial director at Sauska

Most people know Villány wines, but Krisztián Sauska started out in the Tokaj wine region in the early 2000s. The story began in the gravity processing plant of the former Civic Casino and continued in the futuristic building on Padi Hill from 2021. The Sauska family founded the Sauska Winery’s Villány estate in 2007 at the foot of Szársomlyó Hill, where their world-famous wines have been produced ever since. Instead of ideologies, the winery is characterized by an engineering approach, precision, clean flavors, and the search for the best balance. Today, the wonderful Sauska wines are the result of two generations working together. A journalist from The Cultured Traveller aptly put it this way: “A winery is never just a place where wine is made. More often than not, it is a tapestry of history, ambition, and artistry intertwined with the land from which it draws its vitality. At the Sauska Winery, these elements define the essence of winemaking.” On the closing night of the Wine and Jazz Days masterclass series, one of Hungary’s most versatile and modern wineries will present its latest world-class wines. Don’t miss this truly special wine experience!

Further information: https://sauska.hu/rolunk

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Why is it worth registering in time and taking advantage of the online ticket purchase option?
Because at each masterclass, Hungary’s most renowned winemakers and wine experts will personally present wines that are considered the best not only by the public but also by the profession. Places are limited, so book early and take your wine experience to a new level at the Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days masterclasses!