Walking into a wineshop for me is like walking into a candy store or toy shop for a kid. I go in wide eyed, excited and amazed by the selection and already planning what I can take home with me.
Suvla's wine shop is situated in a shopping center in Istanbul and entering the center I could not have imagined this little oasis waiting for me. I was greeted by a wall of Suvla wines on one side and on the other wall, bottles of Olive oil, preserved vegetables, fruits and olives. Displayed inside the shop were their own homemade soaps, beautiful glassware and bunches of dried lavender. I could not resist buying a wooden platter made from the Olive trees on their farm. I was already planning the cheeseplatter that will go with Suvla wine at home.
“The earth, the vines, the people…To bring together and activate the links…An tireless dedication to make the best wine possible at all.”
Suvla is a family owned boutique wine producer and Mr Selim Zafer Elliati, the owner of Suvla showed me proudly around his shop. He has a passion for what he does and it is with a sparkle in his eyes that he shows me a slideshow of their vineyards that are nestled in the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. Between the Aegean Coast and the Marmara seas Suvla vineyards was established in 2003 and the winery in 2009. By 2012 the winery was producing 17 labels and winning big awards for their first releases.
“Good wine requires good vineyards.”
Their vines grow a short drive through the gorgeous National Park Forest. A pretty Vineyard house sits among rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Rosanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Grenache. Suvla winery has a connection to the natural environment around them. All wines are made without chemicals or fertilizers, so Selim guarantees me no headaches after drinking even too many bottles of Suvla wine.
“Wine is Life”
Suvla wines have a lovely collections of wines to satisfy every taste and budget. Young Premium, Premium and Ultra Premium. All very good food wines to suit a variety of different dishes.
Suvla Whites:
Kabatepe White 2011 A tablewine and at 17TL a bargain!
Suvla Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Suvla Chardonnay 2011
Suvla Reserve Chardonnay 2011 Finished fermentation in New Oak and aged for 7 months.
Suvla Grand Reserve Rousanne-Marsanne 2011 Finished fermentation in new Oak and aged for 7 months.
Regional trophy at Decanter World Wine Awards 2012.
Silver medal at International Wine Challenge 2012.
Best pre-release White wine at Master of Wine Weekend April 2012.
“A great deal. See even more promise as it develops. Rich and flavourful with very nice weight and balance. Well done!”
Suvla Rosé/Blush/Claret:
Blush Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Best Rosé wine at Masters of Wine Weekend 2012
“Delicate, fruity, freehand delicious! This is what Rosé lovers love.” Tim Hanni MW
Suvla Rosé Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc 2011
Silver medal at International Wine Challenge 2012
“Notable elegant. Very appetizing, pure fruit, lovely, long finish.” Sarah Abbott MW
Suvla Claret Syrah 2011 The first dark pink Rosé in Turkey
“Brilliant! Great winemaking care is obvious in this wine.” Tim Hanni MW
Suvla Reds:
Kabatepe Red 2011 Table red and a bargain at 17TL
Suvla Grenache Noir 2011
Silver medal at Balkans International Wine Competition 2012
Bronz medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2012
“Nicely smooth, very attractive. Supple and decently long. Harmonized and persistent. Very good.” Sarah Abbott MW
Suvla Merlot 2010
Suvla Syrah 2010
Suvla Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Aged for 12 months in New Oak Barrels
Suvla Organic Red Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Merlot 2010
Suvla Sur 2010 Merlot(50%)-Cabernet Sauvignon(34%)-Cabernet Franc(14%)-Petit Verdot(2%) Partially aged for 12 months in New Oak Barrels
Suvla Reserve Syrah 2010 Aged for 4 months in New French Oak Barrels
Suvla Reserve Merlot 2010 Aged for 8 months in New French Oak Barrels
Suvla Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Aged for 12 months in New French Oak Barrels
Suvla is one of the new wineries to enter the Turkish wine industry. And with the quality of wines and Selims business skills and personality they certainly have a bright future and will play a big roll in the future of wine in Turkey.
Facts about Suvla:
Suvla is named after a bay in the North coast of the Aegean sea.
Suvla Bay is named in a well known song “And the band played Waltzing Matilda”.
Vineyards are under the the certification of “Good Agricultural Practice – GAP”.
Grapes are picked by hand.
The harvest is always at dawn break.
The 5200 sqmeter winery also houses a traditional Olive Oil mill.
The grapes are processed with gravity and the use of stabilization infrastructure help winemakers to keep ultimate aromas and tannins from grapes.
The vineyard is called Bozakbag and consist of 80 hectares.
20 Hectares are under treatment for Organic Plantation.
It is beautiful to see all off the Suvla wine collection in one shop. Do yourselves a favour and go and stock up your wine collection there. They have a good special of buy a case of 6 and get the 6th bottle for free and while paying wholesale prices already it's a great deal.
Contact details:
Suvla Concept Store Istanbul
Perpa Ticaret Mercezi
A Blok, Kat:13, No:1981
Okmeydani
Istanbul
Turkey
Tel: +90212 221 0756
Suvla Winery/Concept Store
Ismetpasa Mahallesi, Cinarlidere No:11
Eceabat, Çanakkale, Turkey
Tel: +90286 814 1000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.suvla.com
