At MOVIN Agency, we believe that behind every great wine there is a passionate winemaker, a unique story and a strong connection to the land. In our “Meet the Winemaker” series, we introduce the people who dedicate their lives to creating authentic wines and representing their regions around the world.

This time, we travel to Szekszárd, one of Hungary’s most historic and exciting red wine regions, where tradition, family heritage and a forward-thinking approach to certified organic viticulture meet at Szekretár Wine Estate.

We spoke with János Szekretár Jr., founder, winemaker, managing director and passionate marathon runner, about family roots, organic viticulture, the character of Szekszárd wines and the international recognition of his award-winning Kékfrankos and Merlot.

“Wine has always been part of our family story”

MOVIN Agency: The Szekretár Wine Estate is a family winery with a strong personal background. How did your journey as a winemaker begin?

János Szekretár Jr.: Wine has always surrounded our family. Growing up, vineyards and winemaking were part of everyday life, and over the years this connection became stronger and stronger.

When we founded Szekretár Wine Estate, our goal was to create wines that truly represent who we are: a family winery where every vineyard, every barrel and every bottle receives personal attention.

For us, winemaking is not only a profession - it is a way of preserving family traditions while creating something meaningful for future generations.

“Szekszárd is a region of character and elegance”

MOVIN Agency: What makes Szekszárd such a special wine region?

János Szekretár Jr.: Szekszárd has a unique combination of natural conditions. The sunny climate, protected hillsides and loess soils create excellent opportunities for producing high-quality red wines.

The region is especially known for Kékfrankos and Kadarka, two varieties that express the local identity beautifully. At the same time, international varieties such as Merlot can also achieve outstanding quality here.

What makes Szekszárd special is the balance of our wines. They can be rich and complex, but they also maintain freshness, elegance and a strong sense of place.

“Certified Organic Viticulture Means Respect for Nature”

MOVIN Agency: Sustainability and organic wine production are becoming increasingly important for wine lovers worldwide. As a certified organic winery, how does this approach influence your work?

János Szekretár Jr.: For us, caring for nature is not a trend - it is a responsibility.

As a certified organic winery, we follow organic viticulture practices that help us maintain biodiversity, protect soil health and allow our vines to express the unique character of each vineyard site naturally.

Working organically requires more attention and dedication in the vineyard, as we need to understand nature and respond to its changes. We believe this commitment is reflected in the quality, authenticity and character of our wines.

A vineyard is a living ecosystem, and our role as winemakers is not to control it completely, but to work together with nature and preserve the health of our vineyards for future generations.

“Small-scale production allows us to focus on every detail”

MOVIN Agency: What are the advantages of being a boutique family winery?

János Szekretár Jr.: Being a small winery gives us the opportunity to stay close to every step of the process.

We know every vineyard parcel, we follow the development of each grape variety and we can make decisions based on the needs of each vintage. This attention to detail continues in the cellar, where our aim is always to preserve the natural expression of the grapes.

We do not want to make wines that simply follow international trends. We want to create authentic Szekszárd wines with their own personality.

“Running a marathon and making wine require the same mindset”

MOVIN Agency: You are not only a winemaker but also a marathon runner. Does sport influence your approach to winemaking?

János Szekretár Jr.: Definitely. Marathon running and winemaking have many similarities.

Both require patience, discipline, commitment and respect for the process. You cannot prepare for a marathon in one day, just as you cannot create a great wine without many years of experience and dedication.

Every season in the vineyard is a new challenge, just like every race is different. The important thing is consistency and always trying to improve.

This philosophy is also reflected in our wines, including our Marathon selection.

“International awards show that Hungarian wines can compete globally”

MOVIN Agency: Your wines have achieved recognition at international competitions. Which awards are especially important for you?

János Szekretár Jr.: We are very proud that our wines have been appreciated by international wine experts.

We are very proud that our wines have received recognition at prestigious international wine competitions.

Our Kékfrankos was awarded a Gold Medal at the Asia Wine Trophy, which is a great acknowledgement of the quality and international potential of this iconic Hungarian grape variety. Kékfrankos is one of the wines that best represents the character of Szekszárd, with its vibrant fruit, elegant spice and fresh structure.

Our Merlot and Golden Premium wines both received a Gold Medal at the Berliner Wine Trophy, confirming the outstanding quality, balance and international appeal of these wines. These recognitions are a great honour for us and show that the unique terroir of Szekszárd has the potential to create wines that successfully compete on the international stage.

For us, these awards are important milestones, but the greatest reward is sharing our wines with people around the world and introducing them to the unique character of Szekszárd.

“Kékfrankos is the soul of Szekszárd”

MOVIN Agency: Which wines best represent the identity of Szekretár Wine Estate?

János Szekretár Jr.: Kékfrankos is definitely one of our key varieties. It has a special connection with Szekszárd and with Hungarian wine culture.

It can show many different faces - from fresh and fruity styles to more complex, age-worthy wines. For us, it represents elegance, authenticity and the character of our region.

Merlot is another important variety for us, offering richness, structure and beautiful harmony when the vintage and vineyard conditions are right.

“Our goal is to share the story of Szekszárd with the world”

MOVIN Agency: What message would you like to share with international wine lovers?

János Szekretár Jr.: We would like people to discover Hungary as a wine country with incredible diversity and tradition.

Szekszárd has a unique story to tell. Our wines represent our family, our vineyards, our region and our respect for nature.

Every bottle carries a piece of our journey and we hope wine lovers around the world can feel that connection when they taste our wines.

Thank you, János, for sharing your inspiring story, your passion for winemaking and your vision of creating authentic wines that truly represent the spirit of Szekszárd.

We are proud to introduce Szekretár Wine Estate as part of the MOVIN family and to share their wines with international wine lovers looking for authentic Hungarian wines created with respect for nature and the unique character of Szekszárd.

Don't forget to check out the products from Szekretár Winery and discover the taste of Szekszárd!

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