Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincészet directly translates in Hungarian to “The Abbey Winery in Pannonhalma,” a testament to this winery's early days, when Benedictine monks founded the monastery of Pannonhalma in 996 A.D. Social and political turmoil following World War II made it impossible to continue the centuries-old traditions, since the monastery and the winery were taken over by the government. Years later, after the fall of Communism, the monks revived their ancient viticultural traditions, eventually re-purchasing vineyards that had been confiscated. Today the great winery has more than 52 hectares under vine, and produces wines using a three-tier gravity flow cellar system under the guidance of the well-respected Tibor Gál (formerly of Ornellaia).