A Gem from One of Hungary's Smallest Wine Regions – Interview with Auguszta Cseri of Cseri Winery

Our connection to your winery is rooted in shared origins—you could say we’re neighbors. One of Neighbor’s founders, Balázs Pintér, was also born and raised in the Pannonhalma wine region. It’s always a pleasure to listen to his almost fairy-tale-like childhood memories.

Balázs Éri: What are your earliest memories related to wine?

Auguszta Cseri: Although my father represents the first generation of our winery, I can’t remember a time when we weren’t at home in the world of wine. From a very young age, I developed a love for wine and the vines. I have many beautiful memories connected to winemaking—from the first fantasy wine name I invented myself to my first summer in the vineyard, when my father had to drive me there every morning at sunrise because I didn’t yet have a driver’s license.

BÉ: So it seems you decided early on to pursue wine and be involved in the family business. Tell us a bit more about that.

AC: At first, I simply helped out in the family business—at wine festivals, in the vineyard during the summer months—and over the years, I gained experience in other areas of the winery as well. In 2019, I moved to Krems to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Wine Business. I spent my internship semester in Budapest (the pandemic prevented other plans), where I worked as a marketing assistant at “Magyar Bor Személyesen” and also led wine tastings at the bar “Tasting Table.”

In the final semester of my studies, I worked a summer season at Domäne Wachau and later joined their export team, where I still work today. At the same time, I make sure to stay actively involved in the day-to-day life of the Cseri winery.

BÉ: If I understand correctly, you’re mainly active in the interpersonal and business aspects of the wine world.

AC: Exactly—for me, the most important part is the close relationships I’ve been able to build through this special profession. Both with my own family and with the many people who make or enjoy our wines.

BÉ: What can we expect at your tasting at Neighbor?

AC: We represent one of the smallest wine regions in Hungary—and quite surprisingly, mainly with international grape varieties. During the tasting, we’ll try several of these wines and start the evening with our brand-new sparkling wine, a project I feel personally very connected to.

BÉ: You’re referring to BLA BLA—the wine whose name is made up of the initials of its creators, but which also has a meaning in Hungarian: it stands for a carefree, joyful conversation where words flow easily—and so does the wine.

The story behind this wine will also be part of the tasting—along with many other stories.