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Hungarian connection

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Sonoma Valley Sun

A 14-member delegation of winemakers from throughout Hungary visit Buena Vista Winery, founded by Count Agoston Haraszthy of Hungary.

The weekend visit was related to business connections with Buena Vista Winery where the new owner, international wine entrepreneur Jean Charles Boisset, is restoring its historic connections with founder Haraszthy, who is regarded as the founder of the California wine industry.

The winemakers sampled a selection of Buena Vista wines at a formal tasting hosted by Tom Blackwood, Director of Retail Operations during which several of them spoke about the wine regions from which they come.

George Webber, who is portraying Count Haraszthy for the winery spoke about the historical connections and plans to celebrate the 200th hundredth anniversary of Haraszthy’s birth later this year at Buena Vista.

The delegation was led by Attila Balla, President of Vinum Tokaj International of Budapest and was welcomed by Eva E. Voisin, Honorary Consul General of Hungary in San Francisco along with Bill Boerum, President of the Sonoma Sister Cities Association and two costumed “colonels” of the First California Hussars Regiment. Following the tasting and tour at Buena Vista, the delegation had lunch at the Swiss Hotel.

Balla and members of the delegation spoke in favor of the pending Sister City relationship with Tokaj, an internationally famous wine city, which has already been approved by that city’s council. Boerum has requested the Sonoma City Council to set a date to consider the Sonoma side of the relationship. Mayors of both cities have exchanged courtesy letters.

Webber has scheduled a second organizational meeting on March 22 at 6 p.m at Buena Vista. The public is invited. Webber can be contacted at ‘[email protected] or 707.260.9511.




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