Ringing in Spring with Çakır Somnium Rosé
One of the newest members of the Urla Bağ Yolu, Çakır Bağcılık ve Şarapçılık prides itself on growing its vines just meters from its winery. The winery, like many in Urla, puts a heavy emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon for both red wines and its Çakır Somnium Rosé. In addition to Cabernet, the winery cultivates Syrah, Chardonnay, and the regional Bornova Misketi.
Even if I would prefer to see more native grapes, Çakır makes a lovely addition to the wine route!
Çakır Bağcılık ve Şarapçılık
Çakır had to open when I made my visits to Urla to research for my book. Last summer, just before I finished writing, I took a quick trip to Urla with my friend, B and we made visiting here a priority. The building is gorgeous and feels somehow right for the area, fitting into the surrounding nature without standing out like a sore thumb.
We walked through the spacious atrium to seats on the back terrace, mere feet away from the Cabernet vines. I had a meeting (because I was supposedly in Istanbul “working”) so B ordered a late lunch (yummy strawberry, basil, and burrata salad) while I worked. Then meeting over, we were ready for our tasting! We had not one but two people giving our tasting, possibly because the winery was otherwise empty. Whatever reason, they were charming and so enthusiastic. Even in Turkey you get people at wineries who are just there to serve, they neither know about nor particularly care about wine. This pair was absolutely, 100% into it. They’d explain a wine, start to walk away, then pop back with “oh wait, one other thing! oh and something else!”
Çakır has since opened a few guest rooms above the winery building. It would be delightful to stay there, I think. The grounds around the winery and vines are stunning and just invite you to hang out with a good book and a glass of their wine!
Çakır Somnium Rosé, 2020
Speaking of their wine! Before leaving, I bought several bottles, the Bornova Misketi (obviously) and the rosé, and the reserve Cabernet.
Cabernet Sauvignon rosé is pretty popular here. I don’t remember ever having had one before coming to Turkey. Although I assiduously avoided rosé before I came to Turkey so there is that. I did love the color on this though, this deep, terra cotta-pink color.
As vivid as the color, aromas of cranberry, blood orange, and lemon thyme cavorted in the glass, underlined by a surprising thread of black olive. Vibrant acidity supported crunchy red fruit flavors of cranberry and rhubarb twined around a savory core with a pleasant pithy bitterness on the finish.