OUR STORY
We Fell in Love
Our story with the estate began in 2019 while we were expecting our youngest daughter. At that time, a good friend called to let us know about a property in the Szigliget region—a more than one-hundred-year-old home set on a large, beautiful plot of land on the slope of the monadnocks—that he believed was the perfect spot for our growing family. The moment we saw it, we were smitten. We explored the grounds, which included a large house with stone walls and breathtaking views, a wine cellar and century-old press house, a charming cottage featuring a green-tiled stove, and an area lush with almond trees, a vineyard, and a fruit tree garden. Although the estate needed a lot of work, it showed great potential, and we were instantly committed to restoring it with the care it deserved.
We Made a Decision
On our way home from the viewing, enthusiasm for the estate overwhelmed us, and we began making plans. We were excited about the possibilities: while András was drawn to farming, I was inspired by the idea of renovating the building and converting it into a guest property, giving others the opportunity to experience the estate’s rich beauty and history.
After a long and challenging process, we eventually became proud owners of the estate in May 2020.
We Made a Decision
On our way home from the viewing, enthusiasm for the estate overwhelmed us, and we began making plans. We were excited about the possibilities: while András was drawn to farming, I was inspired by the idea of renovating the building and converting it into a guest property, giving others the opportunity to experience the estate’s rich beauty and history.
After a long and challenging process, we eventually became proud owners of the estate in May 2020.
The Renovations
During our first summer as new owners, we set out to determine which parts of the house to renovate and how best to reconfigure its spaces. We considered factors such as how the house would function for both adults and children, how it could serve multiple families and generations, and how we could share the space while still offering some privacy.
We got to know the locals and sought out skilled craftsmen to help with the renovations. Initially, our plans were modest—we only intended to repaint the walls and furnish the house. However, our vision grew, and by November 2020 we had embarked on a full-scale reconstruction project, which was completed in the summer of 2021.
One of the key aspects of the renovation was preserving the estate’s intrinsic value—a seamless blend of past and present in harmony with the surrounding nature. That’s why we kept and restored the tile stoves and several original pieces of furniture. At the same time, we redesigned the entire interior of the house, upgrading its utilities to meet modern standards, all while keeping sustainability in mind.
Kövirigó, Brimming with Life
After a trial run, we switched to full operation. In the summer of 2022, we proudly achieved a 5-star rating as an accommodation,
and since then we’ve been continuously expanding and improving.
Our love and enthusiasm for this majestic estate remain as strong as ever—not only for us, but also for our many friends and family who seize every opportunity to visit and recharge. We can’t pinpoint a single factor that makes the atmosphere here so special. Perhaps it’s the comforting embrace of the monadnocks, the splendid view of Csobánc Hill, or the proximity to Lake Balaton. Perhaps it’s the fact that whether you’re inside the house or out in the surrounding nature, the atmosphere remains tranquil and time seems to slow down. Or maybe it’s because we first made this place our home, investing energy, love, and thoughtful care—using only quality materials—to create a space that reflects our tastes: a comfortable nest set within an evolving, sustainable farm. Or perhaps it’s all of these things together.
Come and experience it for yourselves—discover why being here feels so wonderful!
We hope that this place will bring you at least as much joy as it has brought us!
Special Thanks
Thanks to this estate, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people—without whom Kövirigó wouldn’t be what it is today. Their professionalism, creativity, love, and enthusiasm have left a lasting impact on both the house and the estate.
Planning
Zsófi Szigeti was responsible for the entire project—both inside and out, on every scale, big and small. She supported us from the very beginning, from the replanning of the interior to organizing and overseeing the construction work. And she managed it all from her home in Switzerland during the Covid pandemic, while raising her two young daughters. She had seen the house only once, in its original state. By the time she visited again, almost all the renovation work was complete. Throughout the project, we communicated via email and had online video calls day and night, coordinating around our children’s schedules. We have continued to collaborate ever since, adding the final touches to the rest of the estate.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Miklós and Sári Weichinger for their vision and assistance in designing the new floor and room plans in line with the renovation development. We are incredibly thankful for their shared enthusiasm and passion for our project.
Reconstruction works
Raduly Sanyi and his team played a crucial role in bringing our vision to life. They were with us every step of the way, from the beginning of the project until its completion, and they continue to be with us on every new project we undertake. I am deeply grateful for Sanyi’s patience in waiting for my decisions and for his willingness to learn new things to ensure the place turned out exactly as we dreamed. He remained helpful even during moments like when we were struggling with tile placements for the umpteenth time, or when the window opening still wasn’t quite right. He solved everything, no matter what I asked, and if he couldn’t, he brought in someone who could. He even managed to track down the original craftsman who built the tile stoves, allowing us to restore them with the same expertise that originally crafted them.
We owe the electricity and power in the houses and throughout the estate to Ress Attila and his son, Attila They handled every single electrical installation, no matter where or what we planned. Only the three of us know how many lamp cords we replaced from plastic to fabric, shortened and lengthened wires, swapped metal bases for ceramic ones, or turned non-ceiling lamps into ceiling fixtures. We also made sure every room had at least two outlets on each wall—and usually more. They really made any requested additions to meet our vision.
We worked with Gerencsér Péter on the plumbing in the cottage, where we had to figure out how to make everything fit in the small space we had to work with. With Péter Tamás and his team, we ensured that the large house would have proper water pressure and running water throughout.
Szigeti Ernő is responsible for the doors, windows, and the mosquito nets. Horváth Árpád crafted everything wooden: the kitchen, shelves, and built-in furnitures. We are grateful to Szilágyi András for the beautifully laid wooden floors and for being willing to travel all the way from Budapest for this work. We loved visiting Mr Pető in Sümeg and watching how the basalt stones were worked, listening to his stories, and tasting his delicious walnut brandy. Meanwhile, Tamás Kóczián took care of our waste disposal. We are also thankful to Dézsi Titusz for his work outside and for reviving the thousand-year-old irrigation system, which we can now put to good use again. He continues to help us with his practical and valuable ideas.
We owe the electricity and power in the houses and throughout the estate to Ress Attila and his son, Attila They handled every single electrical installation, no matter where or what we planned. Only the three of us know how many lamp cords we replaced from plastic to fabric, shortened and lengthened wires, swapped metal bases for ceramic ones, or turned non-ceiling lamps into ceiling fixtures. We also made sure every room had at least two outlets on each wall—and usually more. They really made any requested additions to meet our vision.
We worked with Gerencsér Péter on the plumbing in the cottage, where we had to figure out how to make everything fit in the small space we had to work with. With Péter Tamás and his team, we ensured that the large house would have proper water pressure and running water throughout.
Szigeti Ernő is responsible for the doors, windows, and the mosquito nets. Horváth Árpád crafted everything wooden: the kitchen, shelves, and built-in furnitures. We are grateful to Szilágyi András for the beautifully laid wooden floors and for being willing to travel all the way from Budapest for this work. We loved visiting Mr Pető in Sümeg and watching how the basalt stones were worked, listening to his stories, and tasting his delicious walnut brandy. Meanwhile, Tamás Kóczián took care of our waste disposal. We are also thankful to Dézsi Titusz for his work outside and for reviving the thousand-year-old irrigation system, which we can now put to good use again. He continues to help us with his practical and valuable ideas.
PHOTOS
Finally, we would like to thank Réka Kövesdi for capturing the beauty of this place, a true testament to the work of many talented individuals. You can see her photos here on the website. And to our great joy, she always returns whenever we finish a new project, ready to photograph the latest updates.
Branding
We would like to thank Dóri Kövesdi for the original design, which we have now updated in collaboration with Ágnes Blaskó.
Our cherished team members
We are deeply grateful to Levente and Vera Poczik, who take care of, maintain, and develop the estate and the house day by day. They are the conscientious stewards of the property when we are not around. Living nearby, they are the ones who welcome our guests and ensure everything is in place for their departure.