The volcanic slope of Padi-hill where the landscape is shaped by the historical vineyards of the World Heritage Wine Region of Tokaj is the birthplace of a new experience. The new Sauska Winery does not only answer to modern industrial needs but it also caters to our client’s wish for the building to stand out while safeguarding the traditional landscape.

The Sauska Winery has been one of the leading wineries in Hungary for nearly two decades. Now they are working on the building of a new estate centre including a state-of-the-art factory. Our studio got commissioned to design this new centre which – in spite of its dimensions – fully fits into its environment yet it provides an exclusive experience and an extraordinary view.

The Sauska Winery is not a house in its traditional sense. If you observe the building from far away, you can only see two sculpture-like bowls floating in the vineyard.

The winery is on the top of the southern slope of Padi-hill. The two spectacular 36-m-diameter lens shaped building volumes host the public areas, restaurant and bar. The view to the vineyard and having close connection with nature were determining aspects during the conceptual phase of the design. Therefore the public spaces were designed as open as possible and they are linked to huge observation terraces.

The factory joins the bowls from the north. This part of the winery is a two-level rectangular shape that is set completely under the ground.

The functional spatial connections are simple and clear; the grapes arrive at the cellar on the west side while the bottled wine is transported from the east side. The winemaking process like pressing and fermentation takes place on the lowest level. The aging, in stainless steel vessels and oak barrels, is organised into two rounded halls under the bowl forms.

According to the design, the winery is going to appear in the form of circular gardens planted into bowls hovering in the height of the grapes on Padi-hill. The building cannot be separated from its environment; its volume and facade create a unity with the surroundings preserving the historic landscape of Tokaj Wine Region.

Project info

  • Project Name Sauska Winery
  • Location Mád, Hungary
  • Gross Area 3,980 m2
  • Year of Design 2014-
  • Expected Completion 2022
  • General Design BORD Architectural Studio
  • Head architect Péter Bordás
  • Coordinating architect Csilla Kracker
  • Architect Team András Kéki, Róbert Gulyás, Balázs Móser, Tamás Tolvaj, Dániel Baráth, Dániel Szeifert
  • Mechanical Engineering BORD Architectural Studio, Zoltán Hollókövi
  • Structural Engineering Hydrastat Engineering Office Ltd., Dezső Zsigmond
  • Visualization Homologue - Zoltán Ölbey