Vines in the Tokaj region were already being grown by the ancient Romans. The Tatars had a great influence on the development of this area, their invasions made the area deserted and they destroyed the vineyards. King Béla IV of Hungary was responsible for it renaissance. During his reign, the region was colonized by Italian settlers from the regions of Formin and Bari. They brought with them their rich experience with the new Furmint variety, which is the basis for the production of Tokaj wine.

In the second half of the seventeenth century, priest Laczko Maté from Moldava nad Bodvou made the first Tokaj selection, which he gave to the wife of his landlord. Zsuzsanna Lorantffy liked the wine, and therefore ordered as much as possible of it to be produced. Wines from this area were also drunk at the imperial court in Saint Petersburg.

The admirers of Tokaj wine have also included Voltaire, Cromwell, Napoleon and the famous French King Louis XIV. In this period, Tokaj wine gained the title - Vinum regum - reg vinorum, which in the English means wine of kings – the king of wines.