Sauska Tokaj

For nearly two decades, Sauska Tokaj winery has been one of Hungary’s leading wineries. Krisztián Sauska and his wife envisioned a family-owned winery in the Tokaj Wine Region, where gastronomy would also play a key role. The building was envisioned as an estate center that, despite its size, seamlessly integrates with its surroundings while offering a unique experience and stunning panoramic views.

The Sauska Tokaj 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.

Positioned atop the southern slope of Padi Hill, these two striking, lens-shaped volumes, each with a diameter of 36 meters, house the public areas, including a restaurant and bar. A key aspect of the design was ensuring a strong connection with nature and unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. To enhance this experience, both the restaurant and bar open directly onto expansive observation terraces.

The winemaking facilities, requiring stable temperatures and ample space, are entirely underground. Within the dramatic, circular fermentation halls, stainless steel tanks are arranged in concentric rings, with the oak barrel aging area at the core.  The arrival of grapes and the shipment of finished goods take place through a tunnel running along the longitudinal axis of the building. This tunnel, resembling a massive, engineered turbine, also accommodates essential mechanical systems.

The winery appears 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.