Lens-Shaped Volumes Bring Contemporary Architecture to Tokaj’s Vineyards

by Stefan Gheorghe

In Hungary’s UNESCO-protected Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region, the Sauska Tokaj Winery by BORD Architectural Studio presents two intersecting, lens-shaped volumes raised on steel columns. The curved forms contain a restaurant, bar, and terrace, designed to appear as if floating over the slopes of Padi Hill. Their placement creates a strong architectural presence while keeping the vineyards as the main focus.

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region top

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region landscape

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region curved architecture

The production spaces are placed underground, where natural conditions support fermentation, barrel storage, and bottling. Circular halls arrange stainless steel tanks around a central barrel core, combining efficiency with clarity of form. A linear service tunnel links pressing, storage, and bottling, highlighting the winery’s balance of design and function.

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region roof flowers

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region exterior

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region terrace

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region glass walls

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region bar decor

Materials chosen by Tihany Design—wood, limestone, and steel—anchor the structure in the volcanic terrain of Tokaj. Curved ceilings frame vineyard views, guiding the eye outward, while the terrace opens toward the hills. The project merges industrial precision with cultural expression, making the winery both a working facility and a regional landmark.

Sauska Tokaj Winery in the UNESCO Protected Tokaj Hegyalja Wine Region chairs