Chateau Kalpak Vineyards
Chateau Kalpak’s journey began in 1991. After 21 years of living in the US and Paris, he returned to Turkey and experienced a dramatic change in life philosophy: Bulent has left investment banking to establish a vineyard and a winery. He acquired the initial parcels in the beginning of 1992 and established a trial vineyard in the village of Arapli in Şarköy (Tekirdağ). He experimented with various clones, planting techniques, trellis/pruning systems, and wine making. The experience he gained in Arapli and the knowledge he gained through travelling to over 100 wineries around the world he applied in the establishment of the Chateau Kalpak Vineyards. In 2003 he finally opened up Chateau Kalpak. This whole process took him about 12 years. Chateau Kalpak made his our first wines in the brand new winery in 2010 and patiently waited until the maturity of these wines which were released in 2013.
Gurbuz Winery
Akin Gurbuz is a winemaker and wine consultant for several prestigious wineries in Turkey. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California, Davis. In addition, Akin Gurbuz completed his Masters in Computer and Information System at City University of New York, Brooklyn College. Akin is the founder of Gurbuz Gida AS located in Lulerburgaz, Kirklareli Province– an Istanbul-based company that is focusing on the production of premium Turkish wines. He is a judge for the International Wine Challenge Competitions in London. He regularly attends wine competitions, symposiums, wine tastings and wine education events around the world. He organizes and gives local and international seminars about vineyard management and winemaking for both the home-winemaker and wine industry professionals. Akin is interested in sustainable, organic and biodynamic practices in grape growing and winemaking. He is a strong supporter of clustering in the wine business. He is a founder of the Winemakers of Thrace group and one of the founders of the Turkish Wine Bloggers group.
Chamlija Winery
The Çamlıca family has been engaged in farming since 1935 in the town of Büyükkarkan, Lüleburgaz. The first generation of the family immigrated to Turkey in 1935 from the town of Kubadin- province of Bulgaria. Kubadin’s name was changed by the Bulgarian government, and new name was given in reference to the cultivation of American rootstock vines, which were first grown in Bulgaria after phylloxera, in Kubadin. It means ‘Vineyard place’. Mustafa Çamlıca, is a third generation ‘fine wine’ wine investor, is the name behind this initiative. The company name comes from İrem Çamlıca, the daughter of Mustafa Çamlıca -who creates all the labels.
All the vineyards are located in Kirklareli Province. The Bulgarian name of Kirklareli was Lozengrad, which means “The city of Vines”. There is currently 90 hectares under vine . There plantings are some of the highest density in the Balkans and Turkey, ranging from 5,000 to 6,666 vines per hectare , with some vineyards even at 10 ,000!
The aim of high-density planting is to enhance quality and encourage deep root systems to express the full potential of the terroir. The Strandja Massif has a dominant effect on Chamlija vineyard soils and climates.
Selendi Organic Winery
Selendi Vineyards are located in the picturesque valley of Sarnickoy, high above the ancient and storied town of Akhisar in Western Türkiye. This family Vineyard was founded by Akin Öngör in 2000 as a passion project with a simple mission : produce finest organic wines reflecting the distinctive flavours of the land to share with friends and family. Community and responsibility are hallmarks of the brand. Always practicing the finer points of organic farming; nurturing the vines and paying close attention to nature. During harvest, skilled workers from neighbours villages join in the winemaking— a jovial atmosphere of gathering, picking and sorting the grapes by hand. All wines are made by winemaker Andrea Paoletti. Certified Organic farming methods and an utmost respect for the land itself create the foundation of Selendi vineyard. Winery meticulously practice the finer points of organic farming, meaning no pesticides or chemical intervention of any kind in our process. Each vine is carefully and naturally tended to from seed to grape production, nurtured pruned by the people who live and work on the land. Naturally farming and harvesting our grapes not only produces a superior product, but also allows to protect biggest asset- the land itself. Selendi Winery are very sensitive to this philosophy and method, garnering a certificate from the French Eco-cert company, meaning regularly inspected and reviewed for these organic practices.