#97 - Entrepreneurship at Nature’s Pace

Dwórzno Reflection

One Saturday in September, I visited Dwórzno for sightseeing and wine tasting at one of Poland's emerging vineyards.

These vineyards are relatively new, there wasn’t a single one in communist Poland. The entire sector only began to emerge after the political and economic transformations of the 1990s. While still small, the industry is steadily growing. According to our guides in Dwórzno, there are now over seven hundred vineyards across the country, though collectively they occupy only around one thousand hectares of land. With nine hectares, Dwórzno is among the largest.

This visit, and the story behind the vineyard, sparked reflections on entrepreneurship and resilience.

Pace and Time

The owner’s son, Oskar Gowin, hosted the day. He shared the story of the vineyard, introduced the wines, and created a warm, engaging atmosphere. One of his remarks stayed with me:

In today’s world, we’ve become increasingly impatient, expecting immediate results. Companies chase fast growth, quarterly wins, and high-stakes momentum. We try to keep pace with these demands and lose the ability to slow down.

A vineyard won’t let you be fast. Nature follows its own rhythm. Vines need time to mature, and vignerons must learn not only how to care for them, but also how to turn grapes into quality wine. There is just one harvest each year. Mistakes are inevitable. The process of trial and error can take generations to master.

As we immersed ourselves in the setting, we noticed time slow down. Everything seemed clearer, more vivid, more grounded.

In the world of entrepreneurship, we often contrast high-growth, high-risk ventures with smaller, family-run businesses that prioritize long-term survival. These may appear less ambitious, but they often exhibit remarkable resilience. A future-focused purpose, like building something for your grandchildren, can foster a humble, down-to-earth mindset. Is that truly a lesser ambition? I wonder.

Business Model

Dwórzno Vineyard not only produces and sells wine, but has also developed an events and tourism arm. This diversification is a vital revenue stream and a smart resilience strategy. The vineyard began in 2012, a short time in the wine world. While they already produce some interesting wines, it will take time to catch up with vineyards where the craft has been passed down for generations.

We attended their Jazz Weekend: wine tasting, vineyard tours, and a live concert. It was a memorable experience and a great example of creative business design that balances economic viability with long-term growth.

Stressors

Dwórzno Vineyard doesn't irrigate its vines, a practice rooted in traditional and premium winemaking.

Some vintners even say:

Stress can improve grape quality. In dry conditions, vines grow deeper roots to access water, leading to greater resilience. This comes at the cost of lower short-term yields, but the deeper roots allow vines to survive droughts and water shortages. Irrigated vines may yield more, but their shallow roots make them more fragile over time.

This dilemma is common in agriculture. Long-term resilience often conflicts with short-term profitability. Balancing these two is central to the challenge of sustainable transformation.

Where Growth Takes Its Time

In the Bible, grapes are symbols of life, provision, and abundance. But the path to that abundance is long, demanding patience, diversity, and hardship.

Visiting Dwórzno was a humbling reminder: sometimes, moving slowly builds deeper strength. Not always, of course, resilience thrives on a diversity of response.

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References and Notes

https://winnica.dworzno.pl/

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