Jakov Milinović
Episode · #721
POSLOVNI ĐIR Jakov Milinović
Guest Jakov MilinovićHosted by Mojana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
Jakov Milinović
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Jakov Milinović’s winemaking journey on Pelješac began not with family tradition, but with a radical departure from it. He wasn't a generational vintner; he knew nothing about wine when, at the end of 2019, he decided to lease a small vineyard. What quickly escalated into managing 70,000 vines, then unexpectedly into producing his own wine during a global pandemic, stands as a testament to embracing the unknown. His story reveals how a willingness to take on outsized challenges, coupled with fortuitous encounters and sheer persistence, can forge a business from scratch. You will consider how often the path to a new venture is less about a clear plan, and more about navigating a series of improbable events.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Jakov Milinović explicitly states his wine story is not a 'usual wine story' because he is not a 'second, third, fifth, or tenth generation' winemaker. Not every successful business follows a lineage; sometimes, the most fertile ground for a new venture appears precisely where there is no existing tradition or inherited expertise to fall back on.
02
He initially sought to lease 10,000 vines, but an unexpected offer led him to 70,000. When a disproportionately large opportunity presents itself, the 'madness,' as he calls it, of taking it on can force a level of rapid learning and resourcefulness that a smaller, safer start would never demand.
03
His original plan was just to sell grapes, but the COVID pandemic crashed prices, leaving him with no buyer and forcing him to pivot. External crises often force an involuntary shift into a more integrated business model; the original plan may fail, but the crisis itself can reveal the true core of what you're meant to build.
04
When he had no winery, a local man, Ivo Jurišić, offered his empty facility and mentorship. Crucial support often comes from unexpected places and people, arriving as a spontaneous offer rather than a solicited request, proving that some of the best resources are found through serendipity and community, not just formal networks.
05
He decided to name his wines Padre, Madre, and Sorella, dedicating them to his father, mother, and sister. In a competitive market, a deeply personal narrative, like naming products after family, can create a distinct and memorable brand identity that connects with customers far more effectively than generic branding.
06
Reflecting on taking on 70,000 vines without experience, he said, 'If I'm going to do something crazy, better at thirty than fifty. At least I tried.' Youth provides a unique window for embracing significant risk and learning through sheer trial-and-error, acknowledging that the cost of failure is often lower and the capacity for recovery higher than in later stages of life.
07
He describes the period from entering the vineyard to starting winemaking as a 'cinematic scenario' of doors opening and closing. The early stages of entrepreneurship rarely follow a linear plan; instead, they often unfold as a dramatic, unpredictable sequence of events, where success depends on adapting to each unforeseen twist.
08
He states, 'I literally bled for four years. Only now in the fifth year can I say I've breathed.' The initial years of building a business are often a sustained, arduous struggle, and understanding this long horizon of effort is essential for founders to sustain their resolve.
09
His advice is to 'surround yourself with people who support you, and get away from those I call 'gaduri' who negatively affect you.' Sustaining long-term effort in a challenging venture demands actively curating your environment, prioritizing positive influences and systematically removing those who undermine your focus and resolve.