John Mathiasz

* Ádámfölde, February 22, 1838 – † Kecskemét, December 3, 1921 / world-famous grape breeder, winemaker ; ; He graduated from the Košice Law Academy in 1860 and was the secretary of the lord of Abaúj County for 20 years. In addition to his official work, he began to deal with viticulture and winemaking as an amateur. In 1866, at the urging of the architect József Munkátsy, he founded his vineyard on the Rozália Hill near Košice and a collection of grape varieties. Seven years later, he won first prize at the Vienna World Exhibition with his selected potted grapes. Further developing his vineyard, he first established a plantation in Mád and then in Szőllőske. ; Due to the increasing spread of phylloxera, Zsigmond Katona (1828–1902), a pharmacist and winegrower from Kecskemét, accepted the offer and planted his vineyard in Kecskemét. He achieved good results with his new grape hybrids on quicksand as well. He produced about 1,300 new grape varieties, of which about 180 were very excellent (e.g. Queen Elizabeth, Queen of the Vineyards, János Mathiász Muscat, Cegléd Beauty, Kecskemét Flower, Csabagyöngye, etc.). Several of his varieties are widespread throughout the world, and his dessert wines from the Great Plain have become world-famous. János Mathiász made great contributions to the promotion of grape breeding and dessert grape production in Hungary, and after his death the state purchased his vineyard. A museum in Kecskemét, several schools named after him, and a professional award bearing his name also commemorate his memory.