The summer months are not only the time when grapes ripen, but also the season of traditions and festivals in many wine regions. One of the most well-known and beloved saints whose name is closely linked with viticulture and wine culture is Saint Donatus – or in Latin, Sanctus Donatus – the patron saint of winemakers and vineyard workers.

Who Was Saint Donatus?

Saint Donatus lived in the 4th century, between 300 and 362 AD. He was born in Rome but fulfilled his life's mission as the bishop of Arezzo (Tuscany). He lost his parents during a wave of Christian persecution and was raised by the bishop of Arezzo. Young Donatus climbed the ranks of church service: he served as a lector, deacon, priest, and eventually bishop.

Many miracles are attributed to him – according to legends, he defeated a dragon that had poisoned the town’s well, and he miraculously restored a broken chalice through prayer. These stories contributed to his veneration as a saint, and for centuries believers have prayed to him for help.

Why Did He Become the Patron Saint of Winemakers?

Saint Donatus became especially known in connection with grapes and wine. Across many European wine regions, people believe he protects vineyards from hail, storms, and disease, and that he ensures bountiful harvests and high-quality wine through his blessing. Thus, he became the heavenly patron of winemakers.

A Global Patron of Wine Culture

Though he is particularly revered in Hungary, Saint Donatus is not solely the patron saint of Hungarians – he is honored internationally, with many wine regions turning to him for protection.

• In Austria, especially in the wine regions of Burgenland and Styria, statues and festivals dedicated to Donatus can be found.

• In Germany, winemakers along the Rhine often invoke the saint to safeguard their crops.

• Slovenia and Croatia also maintain traditions related to him.

• In Italy, especially in Tuscany where he served as bishop, many churches and statues preserve his memory.

His widespread presence shows that Saint Donatus has become an international patron saint of wine culture, linking different nations through a shared faith and respect among those who cultivate the vine.

A Notable Example: Eger

In 1716, the bishop of Eger officially declared Saint Donatus the patron saint of the wine region, consecrating a statue of him and asking for his blessing on the vineyards and wines of Eger. According to legend, the exceptional quality of Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood of Eger) is also thanks to Donatus’s intercession.

Every year, on the second weekend of July, Eger holds a three-day celebration in honor of Saint Donatus, where the region’s wines naturally take center stage.

Tradition Lives On

Although the official feast day of Saint Donatus is August 7, celebrations and wine blessings in his honor often begin in July in many wine regions, sometimes starting as early as Saint Anne’s Day (July 26). During this time, winemakers attend masses asking for blessings, participate in grape blessings, and many religious and community events accompany the commemorations.

Saint Donatus is more than just a local patron saint – his figure connects tradition, nature, and faith, and he is also part of our shared international cultural heritage. Whether his statue stands on the hills of Eger, the slopes of Burgenland, or in a village in Italy, his message remains the same: nature is a gift that must be protected and cherished. And perhaps, in every glass of wine, his blessing is quietly present.