Dr. Anikó Zichy
From Lawyer to Winery Leader
Dr. Anikó Zichy originally trained as a lawyer and previously worked as an attorney in both Hungarian and international environments. Together with her husband, Count Aladár Zichy, she established an agricultural enterprise, the Zichy Estate, primarily focused on arable farming and livestock, complemented by forestry and hunting. The crown jewel of the Zichy Estate is the Zichy Anna Sparkling Wine House.
The foundations were laid by Anna and Aladár around the time of Hungary’s political transition, during the compensation (restitution) process, when they purchased a significant portion of the former Tokaj vineyards of the Waldbott family—around 30 hectares. Modernising and replanting these plots took 30 years. It was a long journey, but necessary to ensure the vineyards could provide the high-quality grapes required for their sparkling wines and still wines.
In vineyard work they strive to use modern, sustainable technology and practices—yet, in the pursuit of outstanding quality, they still harvest the grapes for their sparkling base wines by hand to this day. One of the Zichy Estate’s key goals is to transition both viticulture and winemaking to organic (bio) farming. Currently, their vineyards are managed within the Agri-Environmental Management Programme, a recognised stepping stone toward full organic cultivation.
Although Anikó left the legal profession for the sake of the family business, she never stopped learning. She considers continuous professional development essential and works to keep her knowledge up to date.
To support this, in 2023 she completed the English-language postgraduate programme Wine Business Management, jointly run by Tokaj-Hegyalja University and the University of Dijon. With this expertise, Anikó now moves confidently in the world of viticulture and winemaking.
The Zichy family has been present in Hungarian aristocracy and public life for centuries, and through their revived Tokaj winery they contribute to the reputation of Hungary’s wine culture.
Anikó carries this historical legacy forward with a modern mindset and a strong commitment to quality and innovation.
In 2019, she and her husband launched the “Zichy Anna” sparkling wine range, whose first releases quickly earned prestigious international recognition: Brut Nature won a Gold Medal at the Winelovers Wine Awards 2023, while the extra dry Frizzante received a Bronze Medal. The brand name “Zichy Anna” is no coincidence: although her given name is Anikó, her family always called her Anna—so the sparkling wine truly bears her name.
Alongside quality sparkling wine production, the estate places special emphasis on making Tokaji Aszú, one of the world’s most renowned wines. After her husband’s passing, Anikó continues to lead the estate together with her two sons, Tamás and Bálint. Their international experience and fresh perspective complement Anikó’s dedication, helping the family business evolve and grow.
Dr. Anikó Zichy’s career and life demonstrate how a successful legal professional can become a passionate sparkling wine proprietor. She has shaped a historic family legacy into a modern, award-winning enterprise—where tradition, knowledge, and passion go hand in hand.
ZICHY ANNA SPARKLING WINE HOUSE
A modern sparkling wine house in the heart of Tokaj, bringing together the Zichy family’s centuries-old winemaking heritage with a contemporary approach. Our range includes Brut Nature Prestige, Brut Nature, Frizzante, Muscat Lunel, and Furmint, as well as limited-edition Tokaji Aszú.
We craft our wines sustainably from hand-harvested grapes, using the traditional method of sparkling wine production. We also host wine tastings and wine dinners, providing professional service to our guests—so every event becomes a true experience.
Our goal: Elegant everyday moments and celebrations, with premium quality in every bottle.
