Turay Family Winery• Neszmély, Hungary
Turay Family Winery is located in Baj, Hungary, in the Neszmély Wine Region. Founded in 2002 by István Turay and Éva Turayné Székely, the winery continues the Turay family’s rich traditions in winemaking, pálinka distilling, and hospitality dating back to 1663. Their historic cellar, over 250 years old, was originally built by the Capuchin order of Franciscan Friars.
Kamill Turay, son of István and Éva, now manages viticulture and winemaking on 2.4 hectare, with the family assisting in major tasks. What started as a family tradition in his childhood grew into his life's passion. He is accompanied by his wife Timi, who is a specialist in herbal remedies and biodynamic vineyard treatments, as well as a therapist with a practice in the nearby town of Tata. Kamill's sister, Sára, is a chef and leads hospitality at the winery, emphasizing local and homegrown ingredients in the kitchen. Together, Kamill, Timi, and Sara build upon the legacy of their parents István and Éva.
The Turay Family vineyards sit 10km from the Danube River at the foot of Hungary's Transdanubian Mountains, a landscape built from ancient marine limestone and dolomite formed beneath the Tethys Sea more than 200 million years ago. Much later, the region became part of the Pannonian Basin which was home to the vast Pannonian Sea. While fossilized grapes seeds dating back as far as 120,000 year ago have been discovered in the area, viticulture in Neszmély can be traced back to the Roman Period in the 2nd century AD with written records of vine cultivation. By the 19th century, Neszmély had a reputation across Europe for high-acid, age-worthy white wines well-suited to traveling long distances along the Danube.
The Turay Family vineyards received organic certification in 2021 and Demeter biodynamic certification in 2024. Kamill limits yields to 1 kg per vine, employs biodynamic preparations, and enhances biodiversity with herb cover crops, birdhouses, and bee shelters. The Turay family primarily works with the local grape varieties Generosa, Rozalia, Olaszrizling, Borsmenta, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Harvesting is done by hand, and wines are made with minimal intervention – low or no sulfur, spontaneous fermentation, and aging in steel, wood, or TAVA amphoras. Annual production is 6,000–7,000 bottles. The Turay wine labels are paintings of István Turay, inspired by the landscape of the region.
Winemaker: Kamill Turay & Timi Turay
Country: Hungary
Region: Neszmély Wine Region
Town/Village: Baj
Hectares: 2.4
Farming: Organic, Biodynamic
Soil: Limestone, clay
Founding Year: 2002