Tokaj-Oremus
How to pronounce key Oremus terms
The birthplace of Tokaji Aszú, where a 13th-century volcanic estate became the cradle of Hungary's most celebrated wine tradition.
Oremus is the historic Tokaj estate credited with producing the grapes for the very first Tokaji Aszú in 1650. Spanning 33 hectares of volcanic soil across three hills, it is now owned by the Álvarez family of Vega Sicilia fame. The estate produces botrytized Aszú wines alongside dry whites from Furmint and other indigenous varieties.
- Oremus means 'let us pray' in Latin, referencing its 13th-century origins
- Underground cellars carved into volcanic soil date back to the 13th century
- Tokaji wine was produced at the estate from 1620 by Calvinist priest Mate Szepsy Lacko
- The Oremus vineyard is credited with producing grapes for the first Tokaji Aszú ever made in 1650
- The Álvarez family, owners of Vega Sicilia in Spain, purchased the estate in 1993 after the fall of communism
- Vineyards are centered around three hills: Mandulas, Kupatka, and Losce
- The estate grows six grape varieties: Furmint, Hárslevelü, Sárga Muskotály, Zéta, Kövérszolo, and Gohér
History and Origins
The Oremus story begins in the 13th century, when underground cellars were carved into the volcanic hillsides of Tokaj-Hegyalja. The estate takes its name from the Latin word for 'let us pray,' a fitting homage to those ancient origins. Calvinist priest Mate Szepsy Lacko began producing Tokaji wine on the property as early as 1620, and by 1650 the Oremus vineyard had produced the grapes credited with yielding the world's first Tokaji Aszú. Noble rot, or Botrytis cinerea, was formally recognized in the region that same year. By the 18th century, Tokaji had earned admirers at both the French and Russian imperial courts.
- Cellars date to the 13th century, carved directly into volcanic rock
- Tokaji wine production at Oremus began in 1620
- The 1650 harvest produced what is recognized as the first Tokaji Aszú
- Tokaj is considered the world's first wine appellation
Vineyards and Terroir
Oremus covers 33 hectares (81 acres) within the Tokaj-Hegyalja appellation in northeastern Hungary. The vineyards sit on volcanic soils across three distinct hills: Mandulas, Kupatka, and Losce. The estate's continental climate, combined with the confluence of two nearby rivers, creates the ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea to develop on ripe grapes each autumn. Six grape varieties are cultivated, with Furmint forming the backbone of both the botrytized and dry wine programs.
- 33 hectares planted on volcanic soils across three named hills
- Continental climate moderated by proximity to two river confluences
- River mists promote the development of noble rot each autumn
- Varieties grown include Furmint, Hárslevelü, Sárga Muskotály, Zéta, Kövérszolo, and Gohér
Wines and Style
Oremus produces the full spectrum of Tokaj wine styles. The celebrated botrytized Aszú wines are made at three to six puttonyos levels, while Eszencia and Late Harvest wines round out the sweet wine range. The estate also produces dry whites under the Mandolás and Petracs labels, driven primarily by Furmint. These dry whites reflect the volcanic terroir with structure and minerality, while the Aszú wines deliver the concentrated sweetness and complexity for which Tokaj is world-famous.
- Aszú wines produced at three to six puttonyos classifications
- Eszencia and Late Harvest styles also produced
- Dry whites sold under the Mandolás and Petracs labels
- Furmint is the primary variety across all wine styles
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Look it up →Modern Ownership
Following the fall of communism, the Oremus estate was purchased in 1993 by a Spanish consortium headed by David Álvarez, the owner of Vega Sicilia, one of Spain's most prestigious wine estates. This investment brought significant resources and winemaking expertise to the historic property and helped reestablish Oremus as a leading name in Tokaj during the region's modern renaissance. The estate operates today as Tokaj-Oremus Viñedos y Bodegas, reflecting its Spanish ownership while remaining rooted in Hungarian tradition.
- Purchased in 1993 following the end of communist rule in Hungary
- David Álvarez, owner of Vega Sicilia, leads the owning consortium
- Investment enabled modernization while preserving historic cellars
- Operates under the full name Tokaj-Oremus Viñedos y Bodegas
Aszú wines from Oremus deliver concentrated apricot, orange peel, honey, and dried fig on a foundation of volcanic minerality, with balancing acidity from Furmint. Dry whites show citrus, stone fruit, and a distinctive stony, smoky character from the volcanic soils.
- Oremus Tokaji Late Harvest$25-35Approachable entry point into Oremus botrytized wines; showcases Furmint with honeyed stone fruit character.Find →
- Oremus Mandolás Furmint Dry$20-30Dry white from the Mandulás hill; demonstrates volcanic minerality and the quality of Furmint beyond sweet styles.Find →
- Oremus Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos$60-80The estate's benchmark Aszú; concentrated apricot, honey, and orange peel with firm acidity from Furmint.Find →
- Oremus Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos$90-120Top classification Aszú from a historic estate; exceptional concentration and aging potential.Find →
- Oremus is credited with producing grapes for the first Tokaji Aszú in 1650, the same year noble rot was formally recognized in the Tokaj region
- Aszú wines are classified at three to six puttonyos levels; higher puttonyos indicates greater sweetness and botrytized grape content
- The estate covers 33 hectares on volcanic soils across three hills: Mandulas, Kupatka, and Losce within Tokaj-Hegyalja
- Tokaj-Hegyalja encompasses 5,500 hectares and 27 municipalities and is considered the world's first designated wine appellation
- Purchased in 1993 by the Álvarez family (Vega Sicilia) after Hungarian privatization; now operates as Tokaj-Oremus Viñedos y Bodegas