Sauska Tokaj Winery by BORD Architectural Studio – All photos are by Huftoin+Crow.
Architecture. In the heart of Hungary’s UNESCO-listed Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region, BORD Architectural Studio has designed a winery that feels both rooted in the earth and suspended above it. The Sauska Tokaj Winery combines a subterranean production hub with two bold, lens-shaped volumes that appear to hover gracefully over rolling vineyards.
Sauska Tokaj Winery by BORD Architectural Studio – Photo by Hufton+Crow.
The design brief was clear: create a modern, eye-catching building that not only produces Sauska’s renowned fresh whites and sparkling wines but also welcomes visitors as a destination for gastronomy and hospitality. The architectural concept was inspired by the “untouched-untouchable” view of undulating vineyards. The studio created “a seemingly implausible structure, one that is there, yet physically independent of its surrounding environment,” architect Péter Bordás explains.
Set into the southern slopes of Padi Hill, the winery is defined by its intersecting circular forms, each 36 meters wide. These striking structures are accessible to guests, while all the temperature-sensitive winemaking areas—fermentation halls, storage, bottling—are hidden underground.
Within the cellar, stainless steel tanks encircle a central oak barrel ageing space, forming a dramatic concentric layout. Above, the restaurant and bar occupy the hovering volumes, supported by slender steel columns that amplify the impression of levitation as sunlight shimmers across their undersides.
The entrance is discreetly embedded into the hillside, preserving the sculptural silhouette. A wide pathway leads guests to sweeping vineyard views before they transition into the lobby via a skylit corridor. From there, the architecture draws the eye outward toward the panorama, culminating on the terrace where the vast Tokaj landscape opens up in all its grandeur.
Inside, interiors by Tihany Design echo the winemaking heritage of the region. Natural wood, local limestone, and subtle steel detailing create a warm yet elegant atmosphere that complements the contemporary forms.
[su_image_carousel source=”media: 45001,44996,45002″ limit=”0″ slides_style=”minimal” crop=”none” spacing=”no” dots=”no” autoplay=”1″ speed=”immediate”]
Functionality remains as rigorous as the design is poetic. Grapes arrive via a tunnel that also channels bottling, labelling, and logistics, neatly separating operational flows from visitor experiences. The stark, metallic cellar contrasts beautifully with the luminous, warm-toned hospitality spaces above—an architectural dialogue between industry and culture, earth and sky.
The Sauska Tokaj winery is more than a place for making wine—it’s an architectural landmark where innovation meets tradition. Blending cutting-edge design with the region’s rich heritage, it invites visitors to experience Tokaj’s evolving spirit and world-renowned wines in one seamless journey.
All photos of the Sauska Tokaj Winery are by Hufton+Crow.
