Sauska Tokaj – Rátka, Hungary
Title
Sauska Tokaj – Rátka, Hungary
Designed by
BORD Architectural Studio
Image Credit
© Hufton + Crow
Website Source
Project Description
Project description provided by architects - Nestled in the UNESCO-protected Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region of Hungary, the Sauska Tokaj winery blends harmoniously into its surroundings. Its elegant, hovering form appears to float above the vineyards, complementing the landscape while making a striking visual statement. Beyond its architectural beauty, the winery plays a significant role in enhancing the region’s tourism and winemaking prestige.
TOKAJ – A HISTORIC WINE REGION
The volcanic terrain and continental climate of Tokaj have created ideal conditions for viticulture for centuries, even before the Hungarian Conquest. Early settlers carved wine cellars into rhyolite tuff, and for generations, the region was best known for its legendary aszú, a sweet wine aged in oak barrels. During the socialist era, large-scale wine production dominated, stifling innovation. However, after the political transition, since the early 2000s, modern wineries and growing tourism have revitalized Tokaj, though infrastructural development remains ongoing. The Sauska Tokaj winery aims to showcase the energy, complexity, and diversity of Tokaj wines to the world.
ARCHITECTURAL VISION
The design challenge was to create a modern, eye-catching winery primarily focused on fresh, dry white wines and sparkling wines. The building also needed to accommodate hospitality and gastronomy, making it a destination for visitors. The location—an elevated site amidst the most significant settlements of the wine region—provided both inspiration and challenge.
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
“…What I create should not touch the untouchable - it should float or sit, like a sphere on an unidentifiably tiny surface. The goal is to create a seemingly implausible structure, one that is there, yet physically independent of its surrounding environment.….” – Péter Bordás, architect.
The architectural concept was inspired by the “untouched untouchable” - the view of undulating vineyards. The aim was to make the building appear like a gentle form floating above the landscape. A beanbag model was made as a humorous presentation that depicted the building mass as if the hill had eyes which brought the landscape to life.
A FLOATING LANDMARK
Perched atop the southern slopes of Padi Hill, the winery is defined by two intersecting, 36-meter-wide lens-shaped volumes. These visible, elevated structures are freely accessible to visitors, while the functional areas requiring stable temperatures—such as fermentation and storage—are housed underground. In the dramatic, circular fermentation halls on the cellar level, stainless steel tanks are arranged concentrically around a central wooden barrel aging area. Above this, the restaurant and bar occupy the floating lens structures, supported by slender steel columns. The illusion of levitation is further enhanced by the way sunlight glides across the underside of the hovering forms.
ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE
The entrance is discreetly integrated into the sloping terrain, allowing the sculptural architecture to make an unbroken impact. A wide pathway leads from the parking area, offering breathtaking views of the region’s prized vineyards. Arriving guests step into an intimate transition space that extends into the lobby. From here, a skylit corridor leads to the main visitor areas and the panoramic terrace. Inside, the high, curved ceilings of the restaurant and bar gradually narrow into the direction of the view, drawing the eye outward. As visitors step onto the terrace, the vastness of the landscape unfolds before them, creating a powerful sensory experience.
The interiors of the visitor areas, designed by Tihany Design, draw inspiration from the region’s winemaking traditions. Natural wood surfaces, local limestone cladding, and steel accents create a refined yet welcoming atmosphere. The material palette reflects the essence of the vineyard—timeless, natural, and elegant.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
The winery’s operational areas—pressing, bottling, and labeling—are arranged in a rectangular layout and connected to the fermentation spaces. Grapes arrive and finished wines are shipped via a tunnel running along the longitudinal axis of the building. This tunnel also houses essential mechanical equipment. The cold, metallic aesthetic of the cellar contrasts strikingly with the vibrant, warm-toned visitor spaces floating above.
The Sauska Tokaj winery is more than just a place for winemaking—it is an architectural landmark that celebrates the region’s rich heritage while embracing modernity. By fusing cutting-edge design with tradition, it stands as a testament to the evolving spirit of Tokaj and its world-renowned wines.
