Magazine: Happy grapevines

Csaba Koch is growing grapes on 110 hectares and he also owns another 10 hectares in Villány, from which grapes are already harvested from 7.5 hectares. The winemaker worked hard to arrive at where he is now. He expanded his winery step by step, always investing his profit in development. When the cellar in Császártöltés got too small he bought a farm in Borota, which formed the basis of the present production facility with its 15,000-hectolitre capacity. He studied research biology first but earned a degree in oenology and viticulture. The secret behind his wines’ success is the growing technology Mr Koch developed. He calls his method ‘happy grapevines theory’: after a disciplined pruning he lets them grow freely. They grow rather irregularly but absorb more light. Another rule is that grapes are always harvested and selected manually. For Mr Koch it was a great honour winning ‘Winery of the Year’ and he keeps working hard to also become ‘Winemaker of the Year’ one day. He believes that it isn’t the title in itself that matters the most but the achievement which is behind it. Csaba Koch’s goal is to continue producing excellent quality wines in the years to come.