The picturesque cellars of Gombos Hill with their characteristic triangle-shaped doors are true masterpieces of folk architecture.

 

The Tokaj region has been protected since 1737 and the landscape faithfully preserves historical traditions.

 

Visit the five-star hotels for manor-house splendour and you will find Tokaji wines from local producers on the menu. In the heart of the Mád commune – where most of the grapes for the Royal Tokaji Company are cultivated – a 17th-century mansion, has period-furnished suites and a strong organic wine list.

 

The character of the wines of Tokaj comes from the terroir but also from the bizarre way in which it is aged in underground caves, lined with botrytis, a thick black mould. You can hire bikes in Sárospatak and discover the Gombos-hegy: rows of ancient triangular stone facades with doors to Hobbit-like cellars, many of which host tastings.

 

For the comprehensive story and a European perspective, the World Heritage Wine Museum in Tokaj is a must-visit.