OUR HISTORY
1989
AT THE RIGHT TIME - AT THE RIGHT PLACE
Tibor Gál, Snr was working as head of the wine sector of Egervin in 1989, when Marquis Ludovico Antinori visited the company. After three hours of tasting and conversation, he invited Mr. Gál to help him at his estate, Ornellaia, in Tuscany. “My wife is a wonderful woman. She encouraged me to get started, to do it, and to face bravely forward. I still see it very well. We rolled in with a Zhiguli station wagon, packed to the roof, on 15 September. We had my father on board as well. The opening ceremony of the Ornellaia cellar was held on the same day, with the jet set of the world invited. The prince of Monaco, several ministers, the Agnelli family, six hundred important persons, the hillside bustling with the Carabinieri, and we arrived in our Zhiguli. The guard at the gate phoned the secretary, saying that a Hungarian gypsy family have arrived. She has arrived to collect us, and I heard that the Carabinieri were asking questions about us. He is our new vintner, said the secretary. Well, this is how it started.” Tibor Gál, Snr.
1991
TUSCAN YEARS
Tibor Gál, Snr had a first-hand experience watching Tuscany build its wine region, as the yet unknown became world famous. He worked his way up from a cellar worker to chief winemaker of the Ornellaia vineyard, nurturing good relations with the workers and the management alike. He saw at close range how one of the world’s most famous wine brands was built, developed, its organisation was created and trading started. He spent his most exciting years in the Tuscan Paradise with his family.
1992
Back to the basics
The Gál family returned from Italy in late 1992, so that Tibor Gál, Snr, the head of the family could establish Gál Tibor Winery. The company was started as G.I.A. Kft, bearing the initials of Tibor Gál, Nicolo Incisa and BMW Alpina.
1993
THE FIRST YEARS OF THE WINERY
The winery made wine from purchased grapes only in the first three years. The sector noticed him early on. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Blaufränkisch were produced in 1993. After 36,000 bottles in 1993, 47,000 bottles were marketed in the following year.
1995
THE FIRST BIKAVÉR
In 1995, 65,000 bottles were produced for the market. The first Gál Tibor Bikavér came out this year as a real breakthrough. Pinot noir also received a great deal of attention, which intentionally ended up in the top category of red wines.
1997
Flying winemaker
The first vineyards were purchased in 1997. “One may produce good wine from purchased grapes, but the truly handsome ones come from your own fruit.” (Tibor Gál, Snr). Mr. Gál spent 50 to 60 days a year in Eger. He divided the rest of his time as consultant for the Ornellaia and Aia Vecchia wineries in Tuscany, Roncaia in Friuli and Barbara Incisa in Piedmont. He started similar activities at the 50-hectare vineyard of the Pannonhalma Archabbey and for Eurobor Kft. in Bátaapáti.
1997
Flying winemaker
The first vineyards were purchased in 1997. “One may produce good wine from purchased grapes, but the truly handsome ones come from your own fruit.” (Tibor Gál, Snr). Mr. Gál spent 50 to 60 days a year in Eger. He divided the rest of his time as consultant for the Ornellaia and Aia Vecchia wineries in Tuscany, Roncaia in Friuli and Barbara Incisa in Piedmont. He started similar activities at the 50-hectare vineyard of the Pannonhalma Archabbey and for Eurobor Kft. in Bátaapáti.
1998
WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Tibor Gál, Snr was first nominated for and immediately awarded Wine Producer of the Year in 1998, and he received the prize in Hotel Hilton in Buda, in the presence of his family. He created Ornellaia Super Toscan cuvée in the same year, which was later given the first place among the top 100 wines in Wine Spectator magazine, in 2001.
1998
WINE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Tibor Gál, Snr was first nominated for and immediately awarded Wine Producer of the Year in 1998, and he received the prize in Hotel Hilton in Buda, in the presence of his family. He created Ornellaia Super Toscan cuvée in the same year, which was later given the first place among the top 100 wines in Wine Spectator magazine, in 2001.
2001
CAPAIA VINEYARD
Tibor Gál, Snr starts working as a consultant at Capaia estate in South Africa in 2001, where the entire vineyard was shaped after his ideas. He purchased the 100 ha Grassalkovich estate at Nagygombos, next to Hatvan, together with Huba Szeremley, in the same year.
2001
CAPAIA VINEYARD
Tibor Gál, Snr starts working as a consultant at Capaia estate in South Africa in 2001, where the entire vineyard was shaped after his ideas. He purchased the 100 ha Grassalkovich estate at Nagygombos, next to Hatvan, together with Huba Szeremley, in the same year.
2002
THE FIRST SLOPE-SELECTION WINES
The first slope-selection Pinot Noirs were conceived in 2002, from the Síkhegy, Pajados and Grőber slopes. The output of the Gál Tibor Winery is up to nearly three hundred thousand bottles by that year.
2002
THE FIRST SLOPE-SELECTION WINES
The first slope-selection Pinot Noirs were conceived in 2002, from the Síkhegy, Pajados and Grőber slopes. The output of the Gál Tibor Winery is up to nearly three hundred thousand bottles by that year.
2005
TIBOR GÁL 1958-2005
Tibor Gál, Snr deceased tragically on 10 February 2005, while working as a consultant in South Africa. The family took over management of the vineyard. He was nominated for the most prestigious Les Seigneurs du Vin award in Germany in the same year. Mrs. Tibor Gál and Tibor Gál, Jnr attended the award ceremony.
2005
CONTRIBUTION OF MRS GÁL
Works continued between 2005 and 2010 under the direction of Mrs. Tibor Gál, while Tibor Gál, Jnr lent a helping hand while studying oenology at the same time at Corvinus University. Wine shows, international exhibitions, work in the vineyard and the cellar pulled him quickly into the business, and had to give up his aspired career in Formula 1.
2005
CONTRIBUTION OF MRS GÁL
Works continued between 2005 and 2010 under the direction of Mrs. Tibor Gál, while Tibor Gál, Jnr lent a helping hand while studying oenology at the same time at Corvinus University. Wine shows, international exhibitions, work in the vineyard and the cellar pulled him quickly into the business, and had to give up his aspired career in Formula 1.
2010
WINE BONDS
2010 started as a difficult financial year, so Tibor Gál, Jnr and his younger brother, Zsombor Gál came up with the idea of the Wine Bonds, a novelty in Hungary, to boost the winery’s liquidity. The Wine Bonds attracted over a hundred persons, whose attention and friendship have been cherished by the winery ever since.
2010
WINE BONDS
2010 started as a difficult financial year, so Tibor Gál, Jnr and his younger brother, Zsombor Gál came up with the idea of the Wine Bonds, a novelty in Hungary, to boost the winery’s liquidity. The Wine Bonds attracted over a hundred persons, whose attention and friendship have been cherished by the winery ever since.
2010
Az Egri Csillag
The idea of Egri Csillag (Star of Eger) was conceived on 10 February 2010, with the help of 60 winemakers invited to the Gál Tibor Winery, to make it the white counterpart of the Egri Bikavér and another flagship wine of this region.
2010
Az Egri Csillag
The idea of Egri Csillag (Star of Eger) was conceived on 10 February 2010, with the help of 60 winemakers invited to the Gál Tibor Winery, to make it the white counterpart of the Egri Bikavér and another flagship wine of this region.
2011
PARTNERS
Two Hungarian silent partners joined the winery in 2011, with the purpose of continuing Tibor Gál, Snr’s activities together with the family. Tibor Gál, Jnr was appointed the winery’s Chief Winemaker and professional manager in the same year, who used his international experience and the minimalist maximalism of the eccentric to create a modern vineyard. He has dreamed and designed an attractive, state-of-the-art wine complex in central Eger, to promote wine tourism and to enhance the reputation of the Egri Bikavér.
2011
PARTNERS
Two Hungarian silent partners joined the winery in 2011, with the purpose of continuing Tibor Gál, Snr’s activities together with the family. Tibor Gál, Jnr was appointed the winery’s Chief Winemaker and professional manager in the same year, who used his international experience and the minimalist maximalism of the eccentric to create a modern vineyard. He has dreamed and designed an attractive, state-of-the-art wine complex in central Eger, to promote wine tourism and to enhance the reputation of the Egri Bikavér.
2012
6 WINES, 3 BRANDS
Singularly in Hungary but similarly to most of the renowned châteaux, Gál Tibor Winery has concentrated on three wines only since 2012: Egri Csillag, Pinot noir and Egri Bikavér.
2013
BUILDING OF THE NEW WINERY
Using the designs of Dénes Fajcsák and Arkt Architecture Office, construction of the new winery started in 2013 in the heart of Eger on Csiky Sándor street, opening four listed monuments into one another, including the courtyard of Ferenc Markhot’s castle.
2013
BUILDING OF THE NEW WINERY
Using the designs of Dénes Fajcsák and Arkt Architecture Office, construction of the new winery started in 2013 in the heart of Eger on Csiky Sándor street, opening four listed monuments into one another, including the courtyard of Ferenc Markhot’s castle.
2014
GÁL TIBOR - FUSION
Gál Tibor Fusion opened at the end of June 2014 on 1400 m2. The complex incorporates a 500-year old tuff cellar, a wine bar and shop, a lounge, a tasting hall seating 120, one of the region’s best equipped kitchen and the world’s first Bikavér Museum. The building, an architectural masterpiece, combines traditional and modern styles, connecting thus past and present. Fusion offers the unique experience of quality entertainment with high culinary and wine standards. Gál Tibor Fusion in itself is an answer to the question why one should visit Eger.
2014
GÁL TIBOR - FUSION
Gál Tibor Fusion opened at the end of June 2014 on 1400 m2. The complex incorporates a 500-year old tuff cellar, a wine bar and shop, a lounge, a tasting hall seating 120, one of the region’s best equipped kitchen and the world’s first Bikavér Museum. The building, an architectural masterpiece, combines traditional and modern styles, connecting thus past and present. Fusion offers the unique experience of quality entertainment with high culinary and wine standards. Gál Tibor Fusion in itself is an answer to the question why one should visit Eger.
2015
GÁL TIBOR WINERY
Gál Tibor Winery manages 37 hectares on Eger’s five premium slopes: on Síkhegy, Pajados, Áfrika and Tornyos slopes and on the Nagy-Eged Hill. Tibor Gál, Jnr. is in charge of the everyday operation, fusion, vine cultivation, cellar operations and catering, where his younger sister, Veronika Gál is increasingly involved.
2015
GÁL TIBOR WINERY
Gál Tibor Winery manages 37 hectares on Eger’s five premium slopes: on Síkhegy, Pajados, Áfrika and Tornyos slopes and on the Nagy-Eged Hill. Tibor Gál, Jnr. is in charge of the everyday operation, fusion, vine cultivation, cellar operations and catering, where his younger sister, Veronika Gál is increasingly involved.
TODAY
WE SPEND OUR DAYS ON CONTEMPORARY THOUGHTS AND WITH CONTEMPORARY WINES
In 2018 the winery celebrated its 25th anniversary. Tibor Gál, Jnr had been confidently at the helm for over a decade. Today our wines reflect the qualities of the volcanic soil of Eger, and are created with holistic efforts. Most of our wines have been blended from local varieties. The selection of our restaurant expands and changes every year. After Gál Tibor Fusion, Gál Tibor Box has been added as another gem of the winery at Eger’s most authentic site, in the Szépasszony-valley. Acknowledgement for the winery’s house style goes to graphic artist Géza Ipacs and for the Fusion and Box buildings to Dénes Fajcsák and the architect team of Arkt.