Good Practice - Project
CAP helps Polish farm diversify from cereal cultivation and launch ecological grape production
A young Polish wine producer used business development funds to transform marginal farmland into ecological vineyards supporting tourism, education and local food culture.
General information
RDP Priority
- P2. Competitiveness
RDP Focus Area
- 2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation
RDP Measure
- M06: Farm & business development
Beneficiary type
- Farmer / land manager
Summary
Anna Sztolcman transformed a small cereal farm in Warmia-Masuria into a modern ecological vineyard rooted in low-intervention wine production, biodiversity and rural entrepreneurship. Supported through EU rural development funds, the farm moved away from low-yield cereal cultivation on poor-quality soils towards climate-conscious viticulture adapted to northern Poland’s changing growing conditions.
Work focused on expanding vineyard production, improving soil quality, introducing environmentally friendly machinery and building a direct sales model connected to tourism and local food networks. New grape varieties better suited to regional conditions were tested and planted, while ecological management techniques reduced synthetic inputs and strengthened soil health.
Wine tastings, workshops and cultural events gradually positioned the vineyard as a meeting point for local producers, schools, artists and visitors interested in sustainable rural businesses. Female leadership became a strong part of the story, with Anna Sztolcman representing a younger generation of rural entrepreneurs building environmentally responsible businesses with a clear regional identity.
This good practice vineyard now provides a practical example of how small farms in marginal areas can strengthen economic resilience through diversification, ecological production and strong local partnerships.
Results
- Ecological vineyard production created a profitable alternative to conventional cereal cultivation on low-productivity land. Expanding the vineyard by 0.65 hectares and planting 3 000 grapevines increased annual production capacity to around 7 500 bottles.
- Soil quality improved through ecological management methods including composting, permanent green cover and reduced tillage. Water retention capacity rose while pollinator species and herbaceous biodiversity increased across vineyard rows. Synthetic chemical inputs were fully eliminated from production practices.
- Direct sales and vineyard tourism strengthened farm income while reducing reliance on commodity-based agricultural markets. Seasonal tastings and cultural events attracted more than 300 visitors annually and created stronger links between agriculture, tourism and regional food culture.
- Educational cooperation introduced schools, students and young visitors to ecological viticulture and sustainable rural entrepreneurship. Workshops and vineyard visits helped present farming as a creative and future-oriented career path.
- Female leadership gained strong visibility through Anna Sztolcman’s role as founder and owner. The vineyard became an encouraging example for women interested in ecological farming, artisan production and rural business development.
Promoter
Anna Sztolcman
Funding
Total budget: 18 822 (EUR)
EAFRD: 8 983 (EUR)
National/Regional: 5 134 (EUR)
Private/own: 4 705 (EUR)
Topics
Context
Warmia-Masuria is known nationally for its lakes, forests and agricultural landscapes. Many farms in the region operate on poorer-quality soils that can limit productivity from conventional crop production. Smaller rural businesses often explore alternative land uses linked to diversification, tourism and higher-value local products.
Interest in locally produced food and drink has grown in Poland in recent years, particularly for artisan products connected to regional identity and direct sales. Rural tourism and food experiences increasingly form part of local development strategies that connect agriculture with hospitality and cultural promotion.
Viticulture remains relatively limited in northern Poland compared with traditional European wine-producing regions. Vineyards in areas such as Warmia-Masuria therefore attract attention as examples of changing rural business activity and agricultural diversification.
Women-led agricultural businesses continue to gain visibility across Poland’s rural economy, particularly in sectors linked to food processing, tourism and direct marketing. Public examples of female entrepreneurship can help broaden perceptions around business leadership in rural areas.
The Sztolcman Vineyard was developed within this wider context of rural diversification, local food promotion and growing interest in environmentally conscious farming practices.
Objectives
Plans focused on replacing conventional cereal cultivation with ecological grape production better adapted to local environmental conditions and emerging consumer demand.
Anna sought to strengthen long-term economic viability through direct sales, low-intervention wine production and closer links with tourism and regional food markets. Increasing business resilience while reducing dependency on commodity agriculture formed a key ambition.
Environmental goals included improving soil quality, supporting biodiversity, limiting synthetic inputs and introducing more climate-conscious cultivation methods suited to marginal land.
Building a stronger local identity around regional products, cultural cooperation and ecological entrepreneurship represented another important objective. The vineyard aimed to become a recognised meeting point connecting agriculture, education, tourism and local food culture.
Encouraging greater visibility for women in agriculture would present ecological viticulture as an attractive and creative rural career path for younger generations.
Activities
Soil testing and land preparation activities started (between 2019 and 2021) to improve growing conditions for ecological grape cultivation. Liming, composting and reshaping vineyard terraces formed part of early groundwork, while pollinator-friendly vegetation was introduced between rows.
Training and knowledge exchange activities involved advisory programmes, self-directed learning and study visits to ecological vineyards in Poland and abroad. Research focused on climate-adapted grape varieties and low-intervention wine production methods suitable for northern conditions.
Experimental vineyard plots were established between 2020 and 2022 to assess varietal performance, disease resistance and productivity. Ten grape varieties underwent testing before six varieties were selected for large-scale cultivation.
Manual planting work during 2022 introduced 3 000 grapevines using organic substrates and ecological soil management methods. Mulching and permanent ground cover reduced irrigation demand while supporting moisture retention.
Technology upgrades included purchasing a low-drift sprayer and an energy-efficient tiller designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve environmental performance during vineyard maintenance.
Wine production activities introduced spontaneous fermentation processes and low-intervention techniques with minimal sulphite use. Bottling started in 2022 with a strong emphasis on natural processes and local terroir characteristics.
Tourism and outreach activities included seasonal tastings, vineyard visits, cultural evenings, workshops and cooperation with artists, schools and local food producers. Joint events connected ecological farming with regional cuisine, creative activities and rural tourism experiences.
Promotion and networking activities involved cooperation with heritage bodies, local agritourism operators and international wine partners including a Danish importer. Organic certification procedures continue as part of the vineyard’s longer-term development pathway.
Main results
- Ecological vineyard production replaced low-value cereal cultivation with a more diversified and regionally distinctive farm business model. Production capacity expanded significantly following vineyard enlargement and new plantings.
- Environmental performance improved through regenerative soil practices, permanent green cover and elimination of synthetic chemical inputs. Biodiversity indicators increased across the vineyard landscape while water retention improved within cultivated areas.
- Tourism and direct marketing created additional revenue streams linked to wine tastings, cultural activities and regional food experiences. Visitors increasingly associate the vineyard with ecological quality, local identity and creative rural entrepreneurship.
- Educational cooperation strengthened links between agriculture, schools and younger audiences interested in environmental issues and sustainable food systems. Vineyard visits and workshops introduced practical knowledge connected to ecological farming and artisan production.
- Female entrepreneurship gained strong visibility at regional level through Anna Sztolcman’s leadership role. The vineyard encouraged broader discussion around women-led innovation within agriculture and rural business development.
- Networking activities strengthened cooperation between local producers, tourism operators, artists and food businesses. Joint promotion and collaborative events expanded market visibility while supporting wider regional branding linked to ecological products and culinary heritage.
- International cooperation with a Danish natural wine importer increased visibility beyond Poland and helped benchmark product quality in specialised wine markets.
Key lessons
- Smaller farms can strengthen competitiveness by focusing on specialised ecological production linked to direct consumer relationships rather than volume-based commodity agriculture. Strong identity and product authenticity created an important added value for this vineyard.
- Environmental improvements and economic diversification worked most effectively when planned together rather than treated as separate priorities. Soil regeneration, biodiversity measures and low-intervention production methods supported both ecological and commercial outcomes.
- Linking agriculture with tourism, food culture and creative activities increased public engagement while widening income opportunities. Cultural partnerships helped make the vineyard attractive to audiences beyond traditional agricultural networks.
- Visible role models matter for encouraging generational renewal and greater gender balance within rural entrepreneurship. Anna Sztolcman’s leadership created relatable inspiration for younger women considering careers connected to ecological farming and artisan production.
- Open events, workshops and educational visits strengthened trust and local visibility while helping communicate ecological farming methods in accessible and practical ways.
This vineyard is not only about wine – it’s about proving that ecological transformation, local identity and female leadership can thrive together in rural Poland.
Visiting the Sztolcman Vineyard showed my students that farming can be modern, creative, and environmentally responsible.
I never thought rural life was for me, but after attending Anna’s workshop, I realised women have real power here.
Thanks to our collaboration with the Sztolcman Vineyard, our local cheeses are reaching new customers at wine tasting events. It’s a great synergy.