HISTORY
HISTORY
Founded at the end of the XVIII century, Tűzkő is one of the oldest wineries in Hungary. The estate’s name means flint stone and deposits of this mineral have been found in this historical wine producing region over the centuries. The estate was owned for many years by the noble French family of the Counts of Apponyi. During Hungary’s communist period, private property was taken under state control and Tűzkő became a cooperative, however, wine production continued.
The estate’s recent history began in the early 1990’s when Hungary underwent a period of great political and economic change, opening its frontiers to the West, restructuring the wine industry and appreciating natural and productive resources.
The region’s history and potential attracted the attention of important wine makers including Jacopo Mazzei and Piero Antinori, both tied to the world of wine for generations. They recognized that the Tűzkő estate, set in the Tolna hills near the acclaimed area of Szekszárd, held great potential for producing the finest quality wines.
The Antinori family was deeply inspired by the quality of the wines produced, the presence of existing vineyards on the land, the historical, impressive cellars excavated in tuff rock and the beauty of the landscape so, in 2000, they decided to take over management of the winery together with the Mazzei family.