Sauska

Tokaj, Hungary

The Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region looked much the same for the best part of 1,000 years – fertile, green and flourishing, with cellars carved into the hillsides and grass-covered, pitched-roof buildings crouching down to meet the undulations of the land. No one could have predicted that, in 2023, this demure district would achieve contact with two vast, futuristic flying saucers; yet, when the couple behind Sauska decided to nail their contemporary winemaking colours to the mast, that's exactly what happened. Designed to appear as if hovering, the estate's ultra-modern visitor centre conceals, in addition to a superlative bar and bistro, two circular underground fermentation halls with a distinct 2001: A Space Odyssey vibe. Visitors can explore the depths on a guided tour before emerging back onto terra firma for a taste of Sauska's forward-thinking dry white and sparkling wines, accompanied by the most evocatively earthly of views across the surrounding Unesco-listed landscape.

Key Information

• Opening times: Thu – Sat, 12-10pm, Sun 12-4pm
• Signature wine: Sauska Brut
• Wines produced: White, sparkling and sweet
• Grape varieties: Furmint, hárslevelű, sárgamuskotály (yellow muscat), chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir
• Tasting options
• Time from airport: 2 hours 30 mins from Budapest Ferenc Liszt
• Visit Sauska 's website

Location

Rátka 2722 hrsz, Tokaj, 3908