The cellars were originally built away from the village houses to prevent fire hazards during the wine pressing process.
The buildings utilize 'csapolt' log construction, a traditional technique where logs are joined at the corners without nails.
The roofs are thatched with rye straw, which requires periodic maintenance to prevent water damage.
Some of the cellars still house original 'töke' or wooden wine presses.
The site is nestled within a historic sweet chestnut forest, a tree species introduced to the region centuries ago.
These cellars were specifically designed to store the high-acid 'Vitis vinifera' grapes common to the Kőszeg hills.
The site represents one of the last remaining examples of this type of vernacular cellar architecture in Western Hungary.
Cáki Pincesor is a preserved row of eight historic thatched-roof wine cellars located near the town of Kőszeg. These structures were built primarily in the 19th century and represent traditional folk architecture from the Köszeg-Hegyalja wine region. The cellars are constructed from timber beams with infill walls covered in clay plaster and topped with thatched rye straw roofs. Historically used for processing and storing wine, the site now functions as an open-air ethnographic museum. The cellars are positioned along the Gesztenyés hillside, an area historically known for sweet chestnut groves. Visitors can view the authentic rustic interiors, which feature traditional wine-making tools and historical agricultural equipment. The site provides insight into the viticulture techniques that characterized the local economy prior to the mid-20th century. It is maintained to preserve the authentic appearance of a pre-industrial rural Hungarian village. The location is recognized as a protected heritage site under Hungarian law.
From the trail looking back at the row of cellars to capture the symmetrical thatched roofs against the hillside backdrop.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, as the paths around the hillside can be uneven.
Combine your visit with a hike through the surrounding chestnut forests for the best panoramic views of the Kőszeg mountains.
Carry drinking water as there are limited facilities directly at the historic cellar row.
Do not climb on the thatched roofs or touch the historic wooden wine presses, as they are fragile museum artifacts.
Open seasonally from spring through autumn; typically closed during winter months.
