Behind us are the sixth Pošip Days and yes, it was wonderful… We tasted again excelent wines and all together we have no serious objections. 13 wineries took part this year: Baničević-Car, Didovinka, Grošić, Kunjas, Milina, Plasa, Stanojević, Tomašić, Toreta and Vidilo from Smokvice as well as PZ Nerica, PZ Pošip and Šain-Marelić from Čara, while through the Open Cellar Days the following were available: Didovinka, Grošić, Kunjas, Milina, Plasa, Tomašić, Toreta and Šain-Marelić.
This, in short could be the end of the Pošip Days story.
However, Pošip deserves more and so do the people who produce it.
Martina Marelić, director if the Brna Tourism Board and one of the architects of this project, did all she could. She did a lot. It is time for Pošip Days to go a level higher. The idea is fine and what the wine makers do is fine, but there is always something missing – in the end, at Wine Night, it comes down to a regular celebration.
So I will not write in this text about how it went and how the wines were. The wines are excellent and I always have a great time in Korčula. I will try to write what could be done better and naturally, if they think we can help, let them call; G.E.T. Report is not strong only on words.
So – Pošip, as one of our best wines, deserves better.
Firstly, not enough people beyond the island knows of wine makers from Smokvica and Čara. There is no systematic marketing. We know of a small number of wine makers and that’s not enough.
Therefore, the wine makers need to be introduced to the public; individually or as part of a festival, to be decided and yes, definitely start with a joint introduction, for financial reasons primarily, while people will easily select who they like better or less.
That an association of Pošip producers needs to be established, I need not write, this is clear to everyone, it seems, except the wine makers of Smokvica and Čara. And yes, a wine makers association from Korčula island is welcome, but an association of Pošip producers from Smokvica and Čara is a necessity. There are jobs for the island association, but also things an association dedicated to Pošip will have to do. Smokvica and Čara are the habitat of Pošip… If the first Pošip vine was found a metre to the left or right, really doesn’t matter, it’s such a small area that any divisions are deadly to growth, in quality or recognisability.
When the conditions for a geographic protection of Pošip are made, then a quality stamp must be started. By the wine makers themselves; they need to set a quality threshold and whoever is not within it, doesn’t have a stamp. Nothing new, but useful.
A wider audience is best reached through media. We showed this year it could be done – the story of Pošip Days was syndicated by over 30 relevant media. So a Pošip Days teaser must be made in May or June in Zagreb or Split; in any case, where more media can be reached. We know journalists are hard to reach in the heart of the season, but let’s take small steps.
Let’s find a partner country every year and bring one good journalist… Let’s say, for starters, from Slovenia. One true, large reportage in Slovenia will mean a lot.
Along with Open Cellar Days, have each wine maker that week merge with a partner restaurant where his wine will be sold at promotional prices (without loss) and so additionally increase marketing on the island.
These are just some of the ideas, as Pošip Days can and must do better. Even Wine Night should be profiled differently, but these are trade secrets so let’s move on.
I have spoken this year with all wine makers participating; they are aware of the problem and all agree with my opinion that the above described approach would be good, but yet – nothing happens, everything is in a status quo, and something must be initiated, as when you are not progressing, doesn’t mean you’re OK; you’re slowly moving backward, but are still not aware of it. Everyone expects something to begin, someone to pull… Yes, the county and towns and tourism boards can help, we from the G.E.T. will help, but you, the wine makers from Smokvica and Čara, you must pull first.
For the original and more from the G.E.T. Report, click here.
