On the southern slopes of the Matra mountains (Matraalja) vine growing and wine production was known before the Hungarian conquest . The first written document about growing grapes by the villeins of Aba clan (family) dates back to 1042.
Wide scale grape planting started in the 13th century and wine production became significant. The biggest vineyard was possessed by the Haller family in Visonta at that time. In the 19th century the vineyards extended to 22.000 acres. At the foot of the Matra mountains the different sorts of soil and the high number of sunny days created a special microclimate, especially beneficial for growing white vine. Vines grown on 7000 hectares in the region around the villages of Abaasr, Markaz, Visonta, Nagyrede, Gyongyospata, Gyongyostarjan, Kisnana are the famous white wines such as riesling, muscat ottonel, leanyka, sauvignon blanc, pinot blanc and chardonnay.
Farkasmalyi, a little village just outside Gyongyos with its ancient wine-press houses and wine cellars is and excellent place to taste wines typical of the region. In the wine shop "Matraaljai Borok Haza" in Gyongyos (Fo square 10., phone: 37/302226) offers more than 100 sorts of wine and wine tasting programs on order in advance. Matraalja Borut Egyesulet "Matraalja Wine route Society" (tel: 37/500300; fax: 37/500301) arranges wine-tasting programs on request.