Lithuanian wine producer Juozas Vilkenis: you can only drink one glass of this drink

Juozas lives and works in the town of Kiduliai, Šakiai district, but we meet him on the other side of the Nemunas than at his home in the Zypliai mansion.

When he was invited to walk and asked how winemaking came into his life, he immediately explains that they learned it from his grandfather.

“I have known vinification since the 1960s. In that year, when my grandfather was already holding onto the square, I followed him and did not run. My grandfather realized that he was interested in him ”, he says, and assures that he learned of the subtleties of his wine fermentation until 1968, when the baptismal father of Juozas took over the service.

“I also studied with him, and then I obtained the right to produce it myself,” he explains, saying that today his son, his family and his daughter are already engaged in the fermentation of wine.

Juozas wines: from a variety of berries, herbs and fruits. Flexing one finger at a time, he says, “Rhubarb, milk, nettle, quince, black and red currant, cherry, gooseberry, chokeberry,” he said, rejoicing in saying that we probably understood the essence.

It is true that the family also has a cafeteria-cellar, so a total of 16 employees work in the business.

As if, by the way, he mentioned the existing coffee and asked for more detail that the guests could taste the wine from their local production.

“I have colleagues who have also legalized their wines, so if I have achieved a production of 10 tons / year in three years and I sell a lot, then my colleagues sell up to 2-3 tons per year.” Coffee attracts people because a lot of tourists come, “he says, and says that it is generally Estonian, Latvian, Polish, German and Spanish who find Juozas through travel agencies.

As we walk, we ask what is the secret of good wine, but the winemaker does not reveal all the secrets.

“I do not recognize any other ingredient in wine other than that which belongs to winemaking.

My wines have only three ingredients: raw material (berries, fruits, plants – ed. Past.), Water and honey. That’s all, and you won’t find anything else in my wine glass. Without clarifiers, sulphites or other stabilizers.

I can tell you how to make wine, but I will only say 99% and that 1%. I will keep it a secret from myself, ”he says, smiling.

It is true that, when it comes to wine consumption, the winemaker is strict, for wine, only one glass.

“If you want to enjoy it, you have enough, and the third, fourth, fifth cup is alcohol. Both can cause headaches and addiction.

I didn’t mention the second glass, because if it’s good company, you can still drink the second one, “he laughs.