Turkey’s Best Boutique Vineyards

Father and daughter Ozcan and Zeynep Arca established Arcadia Vineyards in Lüleburgaz in order to produce natural and unique wines that reflect the mountainous terroir of Northern Thrace. On 35 hectares of vineyard, nine different types of grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Öküzgözü and Narince) are grown with minimal intervention in order to allow the natural processes to flourish. All wines are estate-bottled, meaning that the winery is built right in the center of the vineyard, so that grapes are processed immediately to conserve their aromatic qualities. https://instagram.com/p/BLBpBycgoFV/

After having lived in America and France for over 21 years, Bülent Kalpaklıoğlu returned to Turkey where he sought out potential vineyard sites to open his own winery. He found the realization of his dream in Şarköy, Tekirdağ, and established Chateau Kalpak in 2006, with varieties imported directly from France. The state-of-the-art, gravity-fed winery (which avoids the harsh conditions of mechanical methods of grape processing) has won several awards, most notably the ‘Best National Producer’ of 2014 award by the Austrian Wine Challenge Vienna – one of the world’s largest officially recognized wine competitions. https://instagram.com/p/62dKbpjUH-/

Located in Hoşköy on the North coast of the Sea of Marmara, Melen Winery has been lovingly operated by the Çetintaş family for three generations and has a history that goes back to the 1920s. Even though methods have been updated with modern equipment and chrome tanks, the stonewalls and roofing of the old winery have been kept to retain the building’s architectural integrity. Another striking historical feature is the Monastery of St. Ioannis that stands within the vineyard where varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Shiraz, Papazkarasi, Öküzgözü, Sémillon, and Gamay are grown. https://instagram.com/p/BIo1dt5j3TB/

Located in Eceabat by the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) on the historical peninsula of Gallipoli, Suvla is a family owned wine producer established in 2009. With 5,200 square meters of very modern facilities close to the vineyards, Suvla’s production is one of the highest with an over 850,000 bottling capacity. However, its large size doesn’t detract from the quality of its award winning whites, rosés, and reds, produced under the watchful eye of local and foreign oenologists. You’ll be able to find Suvla’s more than 30 labels pretty easily at their stores in Istanbul, Ankara, and Bodrum. https://instagram.com/p/BMqbqP7DyxI/

Established by Nazan and Necdest Uzun in 2004, Chateau Nuzun is near the town of Tekirdağ in Marmara Ereğlisi within a small village called Çeşmeli. With more than seven hectares of vineyards that were awarded with an organic growers certificate in 2010, Chateau Nuzun operates under the ideal that good wines can only be produced from even better grapes. Half the vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, one third with Merlot, and the remaining with Syrah and Pinot Noir. https://instagram.com/p/BJo_OqDhSCJ/

Located on the very idyllic island of Bozcaada (Tenedos), Corvus is one of the leading names in the Turkish wine world, established in 2002 by architect Reşit Soley. By 2004, the Corvus wine factory was equipped with the latest technology and began producing excellent wines that also helped to reinvigorate the island’s ancient wine culture. Apart from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, local varieties Cavus and Vasilaki are also grown, the use of which has introduced the island to the world market. Standouts definitely include the island series made from 100 per cent regional grapes such as Cavus, Vasilaki, Kuntra and Karalahana.