FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Vinkara was founded to keep Anatolia’s long-standing viticultural heritage alive and to bring the unique terroir of Kalecik to the world in wines of international standard. Since its founding, it has been dedicated to preserving and developing indigenous grape varieties.

The name Vinkara brings together the universal language of wine and Ankara’s viticultural heritage. The brand embodies the character of Kalecik and the wine culture of Anatolia.

Vinkara’s vineyards are located in the Kalecik district of Ankara. Stretching along the Kızılırmak Valley, this area is regarded as one of Turkey’s most important winegrowing regions.

Thanks to its high altitude, the microclimate created by the Kızılırmak River, its mineral-rich soils and thousands of years of viticultural history, Kalecik is one of Turkey’s most distinctive wine regions.

Terroir is a holistic concept that encompasses the climate, soil, altitude, geography and cultural heritage of the place where a vineyard grows. It is one of the most important factors shaping the character of a wine.

The Kızılırmak is one of the key natural elements that make viticulture possible in Kalecik. The microclimate along the river tempers the harsh continental climate and allows the grapes to ripen in a more balanced, gradual way.

Kalecik Karası is an indigenous red grape variety native to Kalecik. It is known for its red fruit aromas, lively acidity and elegant tannin structure, and is regarded as one of Turkey’s most precious indigenous grape varieties.

Alongside Kalecik Karası, Vinkara also makes wines from other treasured indigenous Anatolian varieties such as Hasandede, Narince, Öküzgözü and Boğazkere.

Hasandede is an indigenous white grape variety native to Ankara and its surroundings. It stands out for its balanced structure and its citrus and white flower aromas.

Indigenous grape varieties reflect the cultural and natural heritage of the land where they grow. Preserving them ensures that Anatolia’s rich viticultural legacy is carried into the future.

The timing of the harvest varies according to the grape variety and the climatic conditions of the year. At Vinkara, the grapes are carefully harvested when they reach optimum ripeness.

The vintage reflects the climatic conditions of the year in which the grapes were grown. Because the weather differs from year to year, subtle differences can be noticed in the character of the wines.

Yaşasın is Vinkara’s range of sparkling wines made by the traditional method. Produced through a second fermentation in the bottle, it is the result of many years of expertise.

Sparkling wines are ideally served between 6 and 8°C. This temperature best brings out the wine’s freshness and aromatic character.

Wine should be stored in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and free from vibration. For long-term storage, bottles are best kept lying on their side.

When properly resealed and kept in the refrigerator, an opened bottle of wine will usually stay fresh for 2 to 5 days.

Vinkara sees its vineyards as a living ecosystem. It adopts practices that preserve the natural balance of the soil and takes an approach that respects nature throughout the production process.

Vineyard and winery visits can be arranged at certain times of the year. Please contact Vinkara for current visiting options and booking information.

Vinkara’s winemaking philosophy is to craft wines of character by bringing together the unique terroir of Kalecik, Anatolia’s indigenous grape varieties and modern winemaking techniques.