SZARVAS ...
... lies between Tokaj and Tarcal on the southern side of the Tokaj Hill, bordered by the Hétszölö; and Deák-Barát plots. It is the most valuable plot in the Tokaj wine region, used to be an imperial-royal estate for centuries. Szarvas Vineyard that was one of two to receive the highest classification "Cru Exceptionnel" in 1737 (with Mézes Mály being the other one). The terroir is loess soil with andesite as the base rock. It warms easily and quickly and has an excellent heat balance. Vines in this plot bud about a week earlier than the average of the wine region. The aquiferous capacity of loess is weak, so the grapes can be hit by drought, but the tenderness is reflected in the taste of the wine. Szarvas had been the most important property of the Princely Rákoczi family, until it was confiscated in 1714 on behalf of the Habsburg Emperor Joseph I. During the 1800s, Szarvas became identified with the expression "Imperial Tokay". Between the World Wars Szarvas was cultivated under the direction of The Royal Family Vineyard administration. After 1950, Szarvas was directly under the supervision of the Viti-Vinicultural Research Institute in Tarcal, for which reason it became prime source for the Aszú Eszencia wines of the communist era. This vineyard was not for sale during the privatization process after the 1989 change, and remained exclusive property of Crown Estates of Hungary (now Grand Tokaj), which was formerly the State Winery.