In the early 1990s, Villány began to focus more on Bordeaux varieties like cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot. The region’s natural conditions, particularly its climate and soil, provided the ideal environment for local winemakers to experiment with these international grapes.
A handful of Villány winemakers, including Attila Gere, deepened their interest in Bordeaux-style blends during a study trip to Bordeaux, France. Visits to prestigious châteaux and the tasting of local wines left a lasting impression, and upon their return, it was clear that Hungarian winemaking was on the cusp of a new chapter.
In 1997, Kopar was born—already given a special name to signal its unique place within the Gere Winery. Crafted from handpicked grapes from Villány’s finest vineyards, including the renowned Kopár, Konkoly, Csillagvölgy, and Ördögárok slopes, Kopar has been regarded as the winery’s flagship wine from the beginning. It stands as one of Hungary’s finest examples of Bordeaux-style blending.
The First Vintage – 1997: A Remarkable Debut
The first vintage of Kopar, released in 1997, set a new standard for quality from the outset. This vintage was made possible by well-balanced rainfall and a warm, dry autumn—perfect conditions for grape ripening. Although the harvest was slightly delayed, the resulting wines still captured the richness of Villány’s red wine regions. The blend comprised 40% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, and 20% cabernet franc, aged for 18 months in 100% new barrique barrels. This was the winery’s first vintage fully aged in new barrels, and the meticulous yield control—limiting production to 10-12 clusters per vine—led to a more structured wine.
Defined by firm tannins, barrel spices, dark fruit preserves, and a hint of cool anise, Kopar’s debut offered complex aromas of dried fruits like plum and blueberry, with a palate featuring vibrant acidity and rich blueberry notes. This vintage remains a point of pride for Gere Winery, as it paved the way for the premium Kopar wines that followed.
1999: The Vintage of Balance
The 1999 vintage demonstrated how balance can form the essence of a wine. Exceptional acidity created long-lasting wines that year, and Kopar stood out with its rich spice, which harmonized beautifully with ripe, almost sweet fruit flavors. This elegant, finely layered wine could be enjoyed for many years.
2000: The First Classic Vintage
The 2000 Kopar became the first truly classic vintage in the winery’s history. After a brief, rainy winter, a hot, early summer was followed by a long, dry autumn, favoring the later-ripening varieties. The result was a complex, rich wine that achieved a perfect balance between elegance and harmony. This vintage is widely regarded as one of Kopar’s finest, leaving a lasting legacy in the winery’s history.
2002: A Vibrant and Exciting Vintage
Though the 2002 vintage started out ideally, a rainy August posed challenges during harvest. Nevertheless, thanks to the quality of the vineyards and careful attention to detail, outstanding grapes were harvested, resulting in a vibrant, exciting Kopar. Ripe forest fruits harmonized with barrel spices, accented by coffee and roasted seed notes. The wine showed remarkable development as it aged in the bottle.
2003: Bold, Southern Style
The hot summer of 2003, following a long winter, produced an intensely powerful wine. This blend of lush fruit, chocolate, and sweet oriental spices expressed a bold, southern style that filled the glass with rich, concentrated flavors. It showcased a more daring, sensual side of Kopar.
2004: A Vintage That Rewards Patience
The 2004 vintage was slow to reveal its potential, but those who waited were rewarded with a unique wine. A late-growing season and a rainy summer resulted in a wine with beautiful acidity. Aromas of chestnuts and forest fruits gave way to flavors of plum and blackberry, highlighted by subtle spices. The concentrated, long finish reflected the rich character of the vintage.
2006: A Shift in Style and Elegance
The 2006 vintage marked a significant stylistic shift, becoming one of the most elegant vintages in Kopar’s history. From this year, cabernet franc and merlot took the lead, with cabernet sauvignon playing a smaller role at just 10%. The introduction of 40% large barrel aging enhanced the wine’s elegance. Aromas of blackberries, coffee, and caramel stood out, while the palate was concentrated yet smooth, with delicate sweet notes.
2007: Full-bodied and Elegant
The 2007 vintage was outstanding, born from a warm summer that prompted an early harvest to preserve balance. The result was a full-bodied yet elegant wine, rich with fruity and spicy notes. The long finish left a lasting impression, encouraging the taster to savor each sip.
2008: Intensely Fruity
The 2008 vintage benefitted from balanced, ideal weather conditions. The long, warm autumn and summer sunshine allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly. The resulting wine was intensely fruity, with aromas of sour cherries, raspberries, and chocolate. On the palate, blueberry dominated, complemented by fine spice notes.
2009: A Festive, Multi-layered Wine
2009 presented challenges, but the sunny summer and autumn more than made up for earlier difficulties. The result was a multi-layered, exciting wine, where smokiness and red berries intertwined with plum and dark chocolate. This tenth-anniversary vintage was a worthy celebration of a full-bodied wine with exceptional balance.
2011: Complex and Vibrant
Balanced weather throughout 2011 contributed to the development of a complex, detail-rich wine. Aromas of blackberries, cherries, ripe sour cherries, and spices were prominent, while the palate offered vibrant acidity and a long finish that perfectly balanced the round, fruity structure.
2012: A Year of Extremes
The 2012 vintage was shaped by extreme weather conditions: a cold winter with heavy snow followed by an exceptionally dry summer. The smaller berries produced concentrated flavors, resulting in a full-bodied, multi-layered wine. Rich fruit, elegant barrel spices, and chocolate-cinnamon notes came together beautifully. Even in its youth, the wine showed great balance and significant aging potential.
The story of Kopar is one of the greatest success stories in Hungarian winemaking. Since its first vintage in 1997, each new release has reflected Gere Winery’s commitment and passion. While every vintage adds new depth to the wine’s character, Kopar’s essence remains unchanged: the elegant meeting of Villány’s terroir and Bordeaux-style blending. Each vintage offers a new experience, but all share the same elegance, complexity, and aging potential that have elevated Kopar to the forefront of the international wine world.
