Winemaker says it’s not enough to make good wine – you also need to provide an experience

It can’t be done without an experience

“Today, it’s not enough to make good wine – you have to give an experience,” said Csaba Miklós, who also implements this on a daily basis with his own winery. In addition to wine, they offer tours, hospitality, education, petting zoos, and welcome up to 80 guests on weekends. The goal: to move away from the pure product logic and make wine an experience category.

Consumer trends: decreasing wine consumption, changing tastes

In 1999, the annual wine consumption per capita in Hungary was 34 liters, today it has dropped below 18 liters. The alcohol consumption of the younger generations has changed: spritzers have become widespread, many have completely turned away from wine, and the zero tolerance and media influence are not conducive to cultured wine consumption. According to current trends, customers are looking for easy-to-drink, fragrant, fruity white wines – at the Mór winery, the Rhine Riesling and Ezerjó are the best.

Winery expansion? Only through integration

Csaba Miklós currently farms five different vineyards, a total of eight hectares. The assortment is diverse: Ezerjó, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Leányka, Királyleányka, Sauvignon Blanc, Zöldveltelini and a few Kékfrankos are also on offer. However, new plantings are not planned due to the economic situation – if there is an expansion, it would be solved by buying up vineyards.

Survival in the countryside: community, cooperation, authenticity

The future of winemaking is now not only a professional issue, but also a social one. Maintaining local communities, maintaining rural jobs and cooperation between wineries are essential for small players to remain competitive. According to Csaba, guests do not return primarily for the wine, but for the immediacy and experience. “We have to be authentic. They have to like coming to us. And wine has to be an experience.”