“For three decades, we have been working and creating something good – not just for the awards, but primarily for the emotion. We respect our roots and believe in the land from which Gorda emerges,” says director Miloš Škorić
Here company director Miloš Škorić reveals to us how the Gorda journey unfolded from the first plum tree planted, through the first stills, all the way to what Gorda represents today, both here and globally. He also explains why this journey was neither short nor easy, as well as expressing his hopes that this family business will continue to expand and advance, while preserving the quality and emotion that make its renowned rakija what it is today.
Serbia is a land of good rakija, some of which have rich histories like Gorda, though certainly none of them have the kind of emotion that stands behind Gorda. Did it all begin with that emotion and the desire to create something new?
— Rakija is one of the few things in Serbia that needs no explanation, and we’ve known that for centuries. It’s ours. Whether we’re celebrating or mourning – it’s there. We know it and recognise it.
However, rakija must give us a reason to love it the way my family does. My uncle started our distillery and believed strongly that he was leaving it in good hands. We have a duty to honour that trust and carry his legacy forward. Slowly – step by step, bottle by bottle – Gorda gave us purpose.
The family remains united today, Gorda grows ever stronger and gentler and, perhaps most importantly, continues to evolve and improve. The emotions are always present, and the desire grows daily, far surpassing Gorda itself: we want Serbia to be the land of fruit rakija, with Gorda leading the way. And why not?
The story of Gorda dates back three centuries, but it is the year of 1994, when rakija production was revived, that truly stands out as a pivotal chapter in that history. In this anniversary year, you must surely feel proud of having honoured your roots, fertile soil, and the values for which you stand.
— Thirty years certainly isn’t a short period of time, even in the world of premium alcoholic beverages. We can rightly claim today that we are doing something good – not just for the awards, but primarily for the emotion.
It’s more significant for us that we become part of the life’s joys of countless people who thereby also become part of our family. That’s because family is both our source and our destination
We respect our roots and believe in the land from which Gorda springs, and we don’t deviate from what’s been entrusted to us. Of course, behind everything lies long and dedicated work, but also the trust we have in everyone with whom we work and collaborate. As long as family – both immediate and extended – remains our priority, we are on the right track.
The journey from the first plum tree planted, via the first stills, to what Gorda represents today, both in Serbia and worldwide, was neither short nor easy. How important is that continuity from the starting point to the current status?
— When Gorda first emerged, the rakija market was very different: people bought it from their neighbours, not from specialised shops. It wasn’t easy to enter the market, while proving ourselves and retaining a market position was even harder. However, we believed in ourselves, in our dedication, and in the quality of the rakija we were offering.
After 30 years, we can state with confidence that we were right from the start, and that every effort has truly paid off in multiple ways. Yes, there have been numerous accolades and we certainly don’t undermine their value, but it’s more significant for us that we become part of the life’s joys of countless people who thereby also become part of our family. That’s because family is both our source and our destination.
Dreaming big is encouraged at your company, based on your belief that it is the only way to establish a successful and recognisable business model, enabling the company to branch out and conquer new markets…
— Exactly! There are very few bad ideas, but many good ones that are unachievable. It was important for us to establish a strong foundation and decide where we would never compromise. From there, the process of building the brand became easier, though it still didn’t come quickly. Patience is the key, coupled with belief in yourself and your colleagues, and, ultimately, in Gorda.
Belief can indeed move mountains, and even lead to Serbian rakija being placed alongside French cognac, Italian grappa, or Scotch and Japanese whisky
And she has never let us down. That’s how we’ve reached the farthest corners of the world. When someone who has never heard of you or seen you, and knows you only through what you create, takes the time to share with you how much they like what you do – that’s success. And it’s a new opportunity, a new challenge, and a new goal.
You don’t compromise on quality?
— Never, and in no way. When you produce a good product, you satisfy certain expectations. And from then on you must never let those expectations down, because once trust is lost it is gone forever. That’s why our only path is one of improvement. However, that hasn’t always been easy. Premium rakija requires a significant investment from the very beginning. With the careful selection of fruit varieties and the micro-locations where they grow, all the equipment that makes up the distillery, we also have exceptional agronomists and technologists, and our master blender has been with us from the start. This ensures the consistent quality of the final product. Again, the foundations on which we built the company aren’t a matter of compromise, and it is to those foundations that we will always adhere and return.
You often highlight that Gorda is the emotion from which you draw strength to create a legacy for those yet to come. What do you want to leave for future generations?
— My family and I are proof that success isn’t beyond reach if you believe in an idea and don’t shy away from hard work. Never give up on what you believe in – I would say that’s the key principle I want future generations to recognise in me and us. Belief can indeed move mountains, and even lead to Serbian rakija being placed alongside French cognac, Italian grappa, or Scotch and Japanese whisky. Gorda has given all of us the power to create our own path. Even if the younger generation doesn’t inherit the business, I would like our dedication to remain as a legacy; a reminder that what seems impossible at first is achievable. That validation comes from within, and inner satisfaction is more important than any award.