János Dobosi believes happy life has several ingredients, some of which are wine, organic food and a herbal tea in the morning. The head of the over 40-year-old, award-winning Dobosi Winery talked to us in Szentantalfa, about - among other things - the positive surprises of switching to organic farming.
The Szentantalfa-based Dobosi family was already in the wine making business in 1973 - within the frame of the local socialist co-operative farm. The systems change brought them a private enterprise, a locksmith's workshop and a still unyielding commitment to their venture. The idea of a quality leap first popped up in 2005, and it was followed by a structural transformation indispensable for the production of superior wines. By then, the family was already well aware that more work yields more work, but the results provide satisfaction.
Switching to organic production had been considered a great challenge, but in terms of difficulties the family was pleasantly surprised. It took them 3 years to convert almost entirely to this type of farming. The various pesticides have been replaced by work of hand and the principle of 'to protect in advance, instead of curing afterwards' has become prevalent.
The equation that includes the potentials of the Balaton Uplands and decades of experience totalled 100 000 bottles of wine this year. The reason behind the downpour of medals in 2014 is probably found in the skill of the winery to preserve the distinctive features of grape varieties that come to the foreground in wine. In the wine contest of CBA (one of the largest Hungarian supermarket chains) this year, the Bio Sauvignon Blanc, the Bio Juhfark 2013, and the Bio Kéknyelű 2013 all won gold among 631 wines by 102 wineries. At another contest, this year's Welschriesling was awarded with the shiniest medal. 'To break out from the dark, you need to deliver something memorable,' Dániel Dobosi explained. 'This is true irrespective of what you are dealing in, 'Wine or beef stew.'
The family markets their products through a large chain and also directly to customers at the Winery. Dániel explained that even though fresh and light wines with low acidity were highly popular among young people, many cannot differentiate between organic and non-organic flavours. He doesn't think this was anything surprising, as organic wines are only a a degree more fruity than the rest. The winery also hosts wine tastings and wine dinners with the unconcealed aim of showing what authentic rural hospitality was. True:no one has ever been known to leave the Winery with a sense of lack. Once, a few thoroughly satisfied Polish guests even invited Dániel on a professional visit plus presentation.
You can find the award-winning wines, grape oils, fruit juices and other products at the Dobosi stall in the organic market of Veszprém and the Biopiac by MOM Park.. If it were up to the family, this would not change anytime soon: 2 out of the 5 children have already committed themselves to the Winery.
