This is a Spaswinefood's "Turkish delight" intro to four wineries visited in Thrace, the European part of Turkey. After spending a month in Turkey I would recommend that you try the wines being produced by Thrace wineries. I discovered my favorites and I hope that you will too.
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| Gali Winery © Spaswinefood |
When EWBC announced that the Digital Communications Conference 2012 was going to be in Izmir, Turkey it took little to convince me that I should go. Spaswinefood was excited to explore the rebirth of wine in today's Turkey. In fact we arrived in Turkey prior to the conference to explore on our own Spaswinefood happenings throughout Turkey. After two weeks of travel through Turkey we returned to Istanbul to take part in #EWBC pre-conference activities. One pre-conference activity included a two day trip to four wineries in the Thrace area.
Spaswinefood was excited to visit Turkey because it is well known a popular tourist attraction. While Turkey is well known for its spectacular ruins however, it is less well known for its wines. This is surprising given Turkey is considered to be the original source of wines in the world. Apparently, there is a difference in opinion as to whether wine production started in Georgia, Turkey or Armenia. In any event, DNA analyses shows all European grape varieties have their origin in Turkey, Georgia or Armenia. Both the rich wine history and the diversity of indigenous grape varieties makes Turkish wines a must for wine lovers.
A New York Times article by Andrew Finkel, who also attended the Izmir conference notes the growing enthusiasm for wine making in Turkey, as does the Gray Report. Spaswinefood experienced this same enthusiasm, not only at the conference, but first hand in Thrace. In Thrace we got to check out first hand both new and established boutique wineries and a larger well established winery.
Thrace wineries visited
During our visit to Thrace we visited four wineries (Gali, Suvla, Gülor and Doluca). Wines of Turkey lists the wineries found in the Thrace wine region.
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| Nilgün and Hakan Kavar, owners of Gali Winery © Spaswinefood |
Gali Winery
Gali Winery in the Dogan Arslan district was our first stop. Gali is a young winery, which released its first wine, Gali 2009 in November, 2011. While at Gali we toured the winery, 24 hectare vineyard, tasted wines and was treated to a wonderful lunch with Gali wines. The Gali Vineyard is located where the Gallipoli Peninsula joins the mainland. From the vineyards you get stunning views of Aegean and Marmara Seas, Dardanelles and the Gulf of Saros. Given the enthusiasm of the owners and its location the Gali Winery has great wine making potential. Both the terrain and sea winds contribute to the unique micro climate in this area. An Harper's article discusses the unique micro climate on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
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| Suvla Winery © Spaswinefood |
Suvla Winery
Suvla Winery is another new boutique winery. It is located in Eceabat on the Gallipoli Peninsula. At Suvla we toured the winery, 80 hectare vineyard, tasted wines and ate a wonderful dinner at the winery. The vineyard was established in 2003 and the winery in 2009. In 2012 the winery produced 19 labels of whites, roses and reds in different wine series (Kabatepe, Suvla, Suvla Reserve and Suvla Grand Reserve).
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| Suvla Winery tasting room © Spaswinefood |
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| Selim Zafer Ellialti, owner of Suvla Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Gülor Winery © Spaswinefood |
Gülor Winery founded in 1993, is owned by Guler Sabanci, third-generation female member of the well known Sabanci family. According to Wines of Turkey it was the first boutique wine producer. Gülor has also been credited with introducing international grapes into the country.
While at Gülor we were treated to tea and coffee, followed by a wine tasting. The grapes used in Gülor's production come from its 20 hectare vineyard.
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| Wine bloggers being welcomed at Gulor Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine tasting at Gülor Winery © Spaswinefood |
Our last stop on our two day tour was at Doluca Winery.
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| Doluca Winery © Spaswinefood |
Doluca Winery
Doluca Winery is one of Turkey's established wineries. This third generation winery was established in 1926 by Nihat A. Kutman, graduate of Geisenheim Wine Institute. He was followed by his son Ahmet Kutman, a graduate of University of California at Davis. Presently Ahmet Kutman's daughter, Sibil Kutman Oral and son, Ali Kutman are leading the company. Doluca has been described as one of the wineries that set the standards for Turkish wine. Often hotels have a Doluca display at the entrance to the dining room. Doluca was one of the most common wine displays that we saw during our travels throughout Turkey. This is not surprising given Doluca produces over 40 products, with a 14 million bottle annual capacity.
During our visit to Doluca Winery we tasted wines at various stages of production and some vintages. We toured Doluca's new modern facility with Ali Kutman and winemaker, Pascal .
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| Vistors with Ali Kutman and winemaker, Pascal at Doluca Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Doluca Winery © Spaswinefood |
The four Thrace wineries we visited are indeed a "Turkish delight". Spaswinefood will do future posts on Thrace wineries. In addition to the wineries visited #EWBC participants were able to taste other Thrace wines at the conference in Izmir. For example, during the conference I tasted Arcadia Vineyards wines. Arcadia is located in the mountainous region of Northern Thrace. Another Thrace winery Chamlija was also at the conference; participated in EWBC Welcome Dinners in Istanbul. Check out my travels in Turkey and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
November 2012
Istanbul, Turkey
©Spaswinefood
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