Winelovers Wine Awards is not only a wine competition, but a complex platform for importers and winemakers, with several opportunities for "matchmaking". Last year WWA introduced "natural wine" category as novelty at the contest, and this year the small, 4-hectare 5 Ház Borbirtok ('5 Houses Wine Estate) won three medals, including a gold for Juhfark 2023. And the good news: the wines of the Somló estate will be introduced in London in two weeks at the portfolio tasting of The Jolly Merchants!
They are jolly indeed
The Jolly Merchants in the United Kingdom is an importing company owned by two guys, both with Balkan roots, both with a lust for artisan, exciting wines, and with constant drive to look for novelties.
"We are a specialist importer, wholesaler, agent, and distributor supplying quality wines to wine bars, restaurants, shops,delis, pubs, and hotels. We are proud of our selection; the focus is on small, craft, and low-intervention producers from Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. These dynamic wines offer much to explore, with genuinely interesting stories behind each bottle!"
The Jolly Merchants in the United Kingdom is an importing company owned by two guys, both with Balkan roots, both with a lust for artisan, exciting wines, and with constant drive to look for novelties.
"We are a specialist importer, wholesaler, agent, and distributor supplying quality wines to wine bars, restaurants, shops,delis, pubs, and hotels. We are proud of our selection; the focus is on small, craft, and low-intervention producers from Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. These dynamic wines offer much to explore, with genuinely interesting stories behind each bottle!"
Georgi – thirst for the terroir
The Jolly Merchants was represented at the 5th edition of WWA by one of the owners, by Georgi Panayotov, an importer from a winemaking family background in Bulgaria. Educated in the UK, he developed his commercial wine expertise at Majestic Wine, the UK’s largest specialist retailer, gaining extensive experience across retail, consumer trends, and wine education. He is one of the pioneers of Central and Eastern European wines in the UK, introducing and championing these regions through his company The Jolly Merchants. He works closely with small, independent craft producers across Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on indigenous varieties, authenticity, and contemporary winemaking. Over the past years, he has played a key role in reshaping perceptions of the region, highlighting indigenous grape varieties, contemporary styles, and quality-driven winemaking.
The Jolly Merchants was represented at the 5th edition of WWA by one of the owners, by Georgi Panayotov, an importer from a winemaking family background in Bulgaria. Educated in the UK, he developed his commercial wine expertise at Majestic Wine, the UK’s largest specialist retailer, gaining extensive experience across retail, consumer trends, and wine education. He is one of the pioneers of Central and Eastern European wines in the UK, introducing and championing these regions through his company The Jolly Merchants. He works closely with small, independent craft producers across Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on indigenous varieties, authenticity, and contemporary winemaking. Over the past years, he has played a key role in reshaping perceptions of the region, highlighting indigenous grape varieties, contemporary styles, and quality-driven winemaking.
"It all begun a year earlier"
Olivér Weingartner, the winemaker of 5 Ház Borbirtok explained us how his story started with The Jolly Merchants. There was a tasting in the Budapest wine bar called Huncutka, and Dilyan Kolev, the other owner of The Jolly Merchants was there. With Kristian Kielmayer Hungarian expert of natural wines, they tasted some more wines from the shelf of the wine bar, and 'Gizda' by Olivér was one of them. Dilyan was impressed by the orange wine made of Sárgamuskotály and Tramini. Kristian helped them get in contact, and something began. The icing on the cake – and on the agreement – took place at the Winelovers X, when finally Olivér met personally with one of the "jolly guys". Georgi tasted the whole portfolio and he was fascinated by the Szalon Brut Pét-Nat 2023 made of Furmint and Pinot Noir – so it was decided to add it to the shipment to the UK.
Altogether 6 labels have been recently included in The Jolly Merchants portfolio from the Somló estate.
Literally five houses
Olivér Weingartner, of the small, 4-hectare wine estate, did not go far to find a name for his winery. There are five little houses to stay, so he counted them, and there was the name! 5 Ház Borbirtok was founded in 2010.
"At the 5 Ház Borbirtok, we practise organic viticulture on the northern slopes of Somló Hill. The wines are crafted by winemaker Olivér Weingartner using traditional methods, combined with an innovative and sustainable approach, whilst preserving the characteristics of the Somló terroir. On the estate, our five stylishly renovated wine press houses welcome lovers of wine and nature: guests who enjoy peace and quiet and marvellous sunsets, but who also enjoy a hike up the hill."
3 medal winner wines, including a Pinot Noir!
Somló is our smallest or second smallest wine region (it keeps changing, but definitely Somló and Mór are the two smallest ones), with the emblematic shape of the extinct volcano, and with the distinct, volcanic terroir. The wine region focuses on white varieties, but 5 Ház Borbirtok does not want to fit in the box.
The grape varieties grown in the small estate: Juhfark, Furmint, Hárslevelű, Olaszrizling (Welshriesling), Rhine Riesling, Tramini and Pinot Noir.
At the 5th edition of Winelovers Wine Awards, 5 Ház Borvirtok collected 3 medals:
– 5 Ház Borbirtok Juhfark 2023 (grape: Juhfark) – gold medal (90 points)
– 5 Ház Borbirtok Harsch 2023 (grape: Hárslevelű) – silver medal (88 points)
– 5 Ház Borbirtok Pinot Noir 2024 (grape: Pinot Noir) – bronze
More about the winery
And this is The Jolly Merchants' portfolio tasting – with 5 Ház Borbirtok / Olivér Weingartner wines:
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