BORD Architectural Studio - Sauska Tokaj Winery - Rátka - Hungary

2025-08-14

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. Villages were established in the valleys, and winemaking took place in cellars carved deep into the volcanic rhyolite tuff. For generations, the region was best known for its legendary aszú, a sweet, oak-aged wine that became a symbol of Tokaj. During the socialist era, mass production overshadowed craftsmanship and innovation. However, following the political transition, the region began a new chapter. Since the early 2000s, modern wineries and a growing tourism scene have breathed fresh life into Tokaj, even though infrastructural development is still catching up.

Architectural vision

The Sauska Tokaj winery is driven by a mission to share with the world the vibrant energy, complexity, and remarkable diversity of Tokaj wines. 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, transforming it into a true visitor destination. 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, bringing 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 narrow in 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

About BORD Architectural Studio

BORD Architectural Studio was founded in 2006 with an aim to design inspiring spaces with timeless characters. In addition to the studio's headquarters in Budapest, they also operate offices in Debrecen and Zurich. The owner, founder, and chief architect of the studio, and also the main creator of its projects, is Ybl Prize-winning certified architect Péter Bordás. The BORD Studio aims to create unique spaces where it feels good to be, environments that are relaxing and refreshing, while simultaneously possessing novel designs that both intrigue and inspire. These creative concepts provide a solution to the challenges of the broader urban fabric, as well as the direct environment of a given location.

Their projects in Debrecen include large-scale buildings that define the cityscape, such as the Nagyerdei Stadium - the first modern football stadium of Hungary - which facilitated the rehabilitation of the City Park and an entire district of the city, along with the Aquaticum Spa, the International School of Debrecen, the Innovation Centre of the University of Debrecen, and the Forest Offices and the Hotel Mercure. Some of the studio's further, internationally recognised projects include the Etyeki Kúria Winery, the BudaPrés Cider, the Lónyay-Hatvany Villa in the Buda Castle district, and the Holdvölgy Winery in Mád, the latter of which is integrated into the landscape.

BORD Architectural Studio has its own HVAC Engineering and Landscape Architectural division as well, since leaving sustainable and environmentally conscious buildings behind is of utmost importance to them.

Photo credit: Hufton+Crow