Founded by the Kutman family in 1926, Doluca is one of the oldest wineries in Turkey. The grand-father Nihat Kutman started to produce wine from Yapincak and Karlahna grapes before he understood that he needed to improve the quality of his wines and travelled to France and Germany to bring back Cinsault, Semillon, Riesling and Gamay. In the early 1940’s, wines made from those new varieties were introduced into the market and met with great success. In the late 1960’s, Nihat Kuman’s son, Ahmet, finished his education in oenology in the US and came back to Turkey. After the success of the Villa Doluca series, he launched a new one in the 1990’s called Sarafin.

International varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz were used and big investments were made to modernize Doluca’s vineyard.

The third generation is continuing today to create new series of high quality wine like Karma, Tugra and two premium level series like Alçitepe and Signium.

Today Doluca can present over 47 products with an annual production of 14 million liters capacity. The old production site moved from Mürefte to Tekirdag in Northern Thrace with a modern facility with offices, a full lab and a large cellar.

In my opinion Doluca is far too commercial and it shows in the taste and in the marketing. Sarafin series is not bad but overpriced for what you get (the exception would be their Fume Blanc which is quite good). Tugra series is more interesting. In many low-key restaurants and some meyhane in Turkey, you’re pretty sure to be disappointed with the choice of wine on the menu but there will always be a bottle or even a glass of Sarafin. It’s definitely better than Ancyra for example. I’ll do a thorough tasting of the Tugra series pretty soon and keep you posted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Om my opinion