Mountain shepherds, saviours of the cellars in Oszkó

If we take into account the wine regions of our country, it is possible that Vasi-Hegyhát, located in the neighbourhood of the Zalai Hills, will be left out of our imaginary list. This small region has 23 settlements and only 10,000 inhabitants. At one time, grape growing also defined its image. In the 1700s, farmers on Hegyhát carried on self-sufficient farming, and they tried to take advantage of the features of the hilly countryside with vineyards planted in clearings between forests.

"There was a person in the community who supervised the vineyards and the cellars. They were the mountain shepherds, who lived with their families on the vineyard on behalf of the farmers, and even defended the area with weapons against thieves and wild animals" – says Lászlóné Drimmer, a member of the Mountain Shepherds’ Circle in Oszkó.

Just like the development of farming, we can also date the origin of the characteristic press houses of the vineyard to the 1700s. After the deforestation, they could build from oak beams, and thanks to the mowing parts, from rye straw, and thus the thatched and logged press houses made of wooden beams were formed. The local wine, which was one of the most important treasures of the region, matured in these buildings. However, in the second half of the 20th century, due to industrialization and the modernization of agriculture, the village communities gradually abandoned the traditional manual cultivation of grapes. Urbanization and changes in lifestyle have confirmed that the former activities and customs of the mountain shepherds are slowly disappearing from everyday practice. Maintaining the old press houses and vineyards is labour-intensive, so they have been abandoned in many places.

"Perhaps, mountain shepherds and their cultural heritage would have been completely forgotten if an enthusiastic young community, the Mountain Shepherds' Circle of Oszkó, which has been existed for 40 years now, had not entered the scene. With the cooperation of the team, the cellars and folk architectural monuments are constantly restored, regular cellar visits and events are organized" – adds Lászlóné Drimmer.

In the framework of a guided visit to the Circle’s visitor centre, the Cellar Country House, you can get to know the traditional lifestyle of the vineyard, the old tools, the history and structure of the press houses, as well as the secrets of winemaking. In the area of ​​the Mountain Shepherds' Circle ethnographic and folk architecture camps are also organized, but nearby, Zoltán Varga, a winemaker from Olaszfa, also holds a wine presentation combined with a tasting.

Oszkó and its surroundings offer great attractions not only for lovers of history and wine! The hilly countryside offers a beautiful panorama that can be explored on hiking and cycling trails. Unspoiled nature, colourful wild flower meadows and forested areas hide many possibilities for excursions. For example, the 3.3 kilometre long Mountain Shepherd nature trail starts from the Cellar Country House in Oszkó, which guides visitors through the countryside with the help of interactive signs, presenting the local natural and cultural values, life on the vineyard and the built heritage. If you want a longer tour, the approximately 5-kilometre Wine Barrel Trail, which connects the Cellar Country House with the Jeli Arboretum, is an excellent choice. You can reach the wonderful arboretum by touching the vineyards, cellars and forests along the tourist sign.

Nearby is the Hegyhátszentpéter Country House, which authentically presents everyday rural life in the 19th and 20th centuries. In the building, contemporary furniture, household items and folk instruments help to recall the local peasant culture. The birthplace of Cardinal József Mindszenty is also located in Csehimindszent, which today serves as a memorial, preserving the memory of the cardinal's life and work. The exhibition of the simple farmhouse provides an insight into Mindszenty's childhood, and it presents its religious and historical importance in the Hungarian Catholic Church and in the history of the nation. Last but not least, the forest hides an exciting historical treasure at the border of Vasvár, which can be reached by turning off motorway no. 74. The Vasvári Rampart is located here, which played an important defensive role during the Árpád era. Today, it is a historical monument that preserves the traces of the conquest and medieval castle architecture. These attractions can even be combined into a multi-day trip, so if you want to rest, there are several accommodations available in Oszko!