Our Story
For some reason, in Lithuania fruit and berry wine is often called “vynelis,” a diminutive that carries a tone of pity or a built-in excuse. But why do we diminish it this way? Are our berries really so inferior? Countries with strong winemaking traditions, when describing the flavor profile of their wines, focus specifically on berry aromas. They write that their wine resembles blackcurrants, cherries, or blueberries. So let’s look at this differently: why couldn’t fruit and berry wine resemble grape wine, with its own distinctive aftertastes and fragrances, since the fermentation processes are exactly the same? Even with limited sunlight, our berries manage to accumulate a remarkable amount of aroma, sugar, and acidity in a short time. When fruit wine is tasted, it is often given the “third brother” role without any real explanation. Perhaps because we lack a deep winemaking tradition and rarely try to learn or explore the craft. Or perhaps because the fruit wines sold in stores, colloquially called “vaisiukas,” are wrapped in a veil of hopelessness, shaping the belief that high-quality Lithuanian wine is just an illusion. This can be debated endlessly without reaching a single conclusion. Some will say it’s nonsense and that real wine can only be made from grapes. Others will argue that a good wine can indeed be made in our region. Words, words… and we have heard plenty of them. So why not challenge the prevailing opinion and try turning “vaisiukas” into a genuine fruit and berry wine that would be worthy of serving even to the pickiest foreign guest? These ideas eventually led to the creation of Gintaras Sinas Family Winery, located at the edge of Lithuania, in the Zarasai region, in the village of Juodalaukiai. The goal is to prove that we can, we have the resources, and we must create something that even we once believed was impossible. So let us rewrite the narrative: Fruit and berry wine is the most delicious wine, perfectly suited to our Northern character.
2013
Our Story
ChatGPT said: For some reason, in Lithuania fruit and berry wine is often called “vynelis,” a diminutive that carries a hint of pity or a built-in excuse. But why do we undervalue it this way? Are our berries really so poor? After all, winemaking countries, when describing wine flavor characteristics, try to highlight berry aromas. They write that their wine resembles blackcurrants, cherries, or blueberries. Let’s look at this differently: why couldn’t fruit and berry wine resemble grape wine, with its own distinctive aftertastes and aromas, since the fermentation processes are exactly the same? Even with limited sunlight, our berries manage to accumulate a remarkable amount of aromas, sugars, and acids in a short period of time.
When fruit wine is tasted, it is often assigned the role of the “third brother,” without any clear explanation. Perhaps because we lack strong winemaking traditions and make little effort to learn or explore the craft. Or perhaps because the fruit wine sold in stores, colloquially called “vaisiukas,” is wrapped in a veil of hopelessness, shaping the perception that good Lithuanian wine is nothing more than an illusion.
So this topic can be debated endlessly without ever reaching a single conclusion. Some will say it is nonsense and that real wine can only be made from grapes; others will argue that good wine can indeed be produced in our region. Words, words… and we have heard plenty of them.
So why not challenge this entrenched opinion and try turning “vaisiukas” into a genuine fruit and berry wine, one that you would be proud to serve even to the most demanding foreign guest?
These were the thoughts that eventually led to the creation, in Lithuania pakrašty, Zarasų krašti, Juodalaukių kaimi atsirado
Gintaro Sino šeimos vyninė, kuri bandys įrodyti, kad mes galime, turime iš ko ir privalome padaryti tai, kas mums ir patiems kažkada atrodė beviltiška.
Taigi rašome iš naujo:
Vaisių-uogų vynas – pats skaniausias vynas, labiausiai tinkantis mūsų šiaurietiškai prigimčiai.
2013