A combination of political circumstances resulted in the main production focus switching to Bermet and Muštarda production. As time went by, Bermet and Muštarda turned into the symbols of Samobor and an indispensible part of Samobor’s culinary offer.
As a member of the seventh generation, Antun Filipec got involved in the production in the early 1990s of the last century, and in 1999 he started his grape and wine production craft called “Obitelj Filipec” (“Filipec Family”). He set his heart on continuing and keeping the tradition alive with an ever-expanding circle of Bermet and Muštarda lovers and connoisseurs.
Photo: PIXSELL
“I was born in central Zagreb, but I would visit my grandparents during the weekends and on holidays. I grew up with the family business, but it was only in secondary school that I came to realise that this was something I wanted to do. I’m proud of tradition, heritage and my last name. It takes a lot of sacrifice and madness to stay afloat in this kind of family business. So love prevailed”, Antun Filipec reveals.
Apart from old photographs and original recipes, Antun prevented a centuries-old well from fading into oblivion. It used to be a source of water, but nowadays the well is used for exhibition purposes only. But the press dating back to 1864 is still in use. A varied offer will attract tourists, but a good recommendation still holds the key to success.
“I love spending time in our wine cellar. This sense of peace is relaxing and priceless. We don’t have any particular expansion plans as we would risk losing our approach and family atmosphere. We plan on maintaining our current capacity and quality. We also intend to preserve the recognisable nature of this, if I may so, pearl of Samobor and this family. We all know that the economic situation in Croatia is very much challenging, but this won’t prevent us from being good at what we do”, Antun says in conclusion.
