This talented winemaker from the Eger Wine Region, who belongs to the younger generation, took to the stage for the fourth time at the Gundel Cellar, where this year’s winner of the Kossuth Prize for Winemakers was announced.

Let’s not keep you in suspense any longer – Hungary’s Wine Producer of the Year for 2025 has been announced: none other than József Lamport from the Eger wine region.

After graduating from the University of Horticulture, József Lamport worked at the Törley sparkling wine house, where he gained a thorough understanding of the world of Hungarian red wines and, wherever possible, got to know the character of the country’s various wine regions at first hand.

In his view, the greatest difference between the Egri Bikavér of the past and that of today is the very same factor that is decisive for all quality red wines: strict yield restrictions, the careful harvesting of ripe and healthy grapes, and rigorous technical discipline throughout the winemaking process.

He has been the head winemaker at Thummerer Winery since 2004, though his love of wine dates back much further – from childhood, his mother’s example drew him towards grapes and wine.

Egri Csillag also played a key role in the creation of the white counterpart to Egri Bikavér, and his professional expertise helped the winery win numerous domestic and international awards.

What exactly is this award?

The official name of the award is „WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR IN HUNGARY”, which does not recognise the outstanding quality of a single wine, but rather the award-winning wine producer’s outstanding performance over several years, the consistently high quality of their wines, and their success both at home and abroad.

This is the most prestigious national award that Hungarian winemakers can win.

The award, known as ‘Winemaker of the Year’, was first presented in 1991 with the aim of recognising the outstanding professional achievements and long-standing work of a Hungarian winemaker. Competition is now much fiercer. In addition to consistently high quality, the results achieved in wine competitions, marketing, appearance and substance, likeability, the goodwill generated towards the winery and, last but not least, the winemaker’s personality all count. 

The annual announcement is preceded by a two-round voting process. In the first round, the Academy compiles recommendations for the „Winemaker of the Year” from its own members, recognised and influential figures in the sector, professional organisations of national significance, the hospitality and gastronomy sectors, and the trade press for the ‘Winemaker of the Year’ award, as well as a joint nomination from the previous years’ ‘Winemakers of the Year’. Thus, one candidate is nominated by previous winners of the ‘Winemaker of the Year in Hungary’ title, whilst four further candidates are nominated by a panel of experts invited by the MBA. 

In the second round, the Academy compiles the nominations and then puts the list of the five wine producers with the most recommendations to a vote amongst the Academy’s members. The final result is determined on the basis of the votes cast.