Piti's commitment to quality
Piti's Story
From the Soil of Croatia to a New Life in Japan
I was born in 1979 in Vukovar, a city in the former Yugoslavia (now Croatia). My peaceful childhood was abruptly shattered by the outbreak of conflict, forcing us to flee and live as refugees. Those harsh years taught me the true value of "human connections" and the strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.
My Origins: The Work Ethic Inherited from My Grandmother
My connection to wine began long before I was old enough to drink it. My grandparents ran a pub in Vojvodina, Serbia, where they made their own wine and rakija (distilled spirits).
My grandfather was injured in World War II, making household chores and heavy labor difficult for him. My grandmother, therefore, became the pillar of the family, supporting everything. Until the late 90s, she managed vast vineyards, fields, and livestock all by herself.
Despite shouldering immense farm work and caring for a large family, my grandmother always kept the house impeccably clean. I have never known anyone else who worked as hard as she did. I still aspire to emulate her integrity, even if I can only come a step closer.
At the age of 13, I started working in the vineyards of Erdut to help my family. Touching the soil and tending to the grapevines—that was the beginning of my true education.
At 16, I embarked on a path of peace activism. As a volunteer, I met a Japanese woman in Scotland who would change my life. After working in Scotland and India, I moved to Japan in 2005 to build a life with her.
Challenges in Japan and "Falling Seven Times, Rising Eight"
When I started my business in Japan in 2012, I had little capital, connections, or Japanese language knowledge. I worked in restaurants for seven years, diligently saving money, and built the foundation to realize my dream in an era without AI or translation tools. It was truly a journey of "falling seven times, rising eight," as they say in Japan.
I have been able to continue on this path because I believed that the wonderful wines from my homeland deserved a place on Japanese dinner tables. I wanted to share the same uncompromising dedication and integrity with the people of Japan that my grandmother poured into her land.
For me, wine is not just a beverage.
It is the history of the land and the very life of the person who created it.
I invite you to share in this journey, one glass at a time.
Owner, Wine shop Piti