Zala is located on the southwest border with Slovenia and Croatia. The hilly wine region has the most rainfall in Hungary and the temperature is below average. Although the Romans were already working the vines, they were again destroyed by the Turkish invasion. Then replanting started, but the phylloxera destroyed the plantations again. The status of wine region was not regained until 1997, it was called "Balaton-melléke" (Lake Balaton side), and it was renamed in 2009, since then it is called the Zala wine region. The most famous winemaker in the region was a family doctor who was fed up with the poor quality wines his customers poured out for him. He, István Bussay, produced excellent quality wines until his death, now his daughter Dorottya, also a general practitioner, continues this tradition. Ripe and juicy Pinot Noir with one-year aging in barrels.
