OUR Vineyards

Earth, Sun, North Winds and Vines… A unique terroir in terms of geography and history.
 

The family vineyard Bozokbağ is nestled in Eceabat, Çanakkale, the historical home for Troy and unique land side Gallipoli at Dardannel Channel, North Aegean. In this ancient land, famous with it’s history, the relationship between vines and soil is going on for centuries. 
 
The family vineyard was planted in 2003 by couple Pınar & Selim Ellialtı and in time took it’s name after their new born son as ‘Bozokbağ’. Focused on sustainable farming practices the family vineyard was planted as 50 ha with the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Certificate and switched to the Organic Certificate in 2013 and reached to 100 ha with new plantings ending up 15 varieties. Lately the vineyard is qualifed for European Union (EU) approved Organic Certificate as of 2023.
 
The varieties of the family vineyard can be listed as whites; Local variety Kınalı Yapıncak, Misket and the classic varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne and reds; Local variety of Çanakkale – Karasakız(Mavrupalia), Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir. Other varieties processed from the vineyards of historical peninsula and Thrace are the indigenous ones Kınalı Yapıncak and Karasakız, Papaskarası and Sıdalan which are peculiar to the region. The ones harvested from the vineyards across Anatolia/Turkey can be listed as Emir, Narince, Misket, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere and Kalecik Karası; the international varietes are Semillon, Solaris, Viognier and Malbec.
 
The establisment of the vineyards began with the planting of certified vine cuttings imported from Mercier Nursery in France by experts. During the first three years, no chemical or artificial fertilizers were used, allowing the roots to develop and strengthen naturally. Merlot clones were selected from Petrus clones among the certified vine cuttings. The vineyard team is conducting research on selecting local grape varieties suitable for the terroir and historically tested in the region for new plantings.

Soil, sun, wind, people… Indispensable elements in the development of vines, working together as a whole. Bozokbağ, from its inception to the present day, has been cared for with great devotion by dozens of women from the surrounding villages, who work tirelessly in the vineyards, regardless of the season. Their dedication and care, from each harvest to winter pruning and year-round maintenance, is a source of great enthusiasm and excitement for them, as their contributions to the vineyard’s growth are so clearly visible.

Winter pruning, green harvest and leaf removal is being performed during the year and a manual harvest directed by expert winegrowers. Times of harvest are determined by the ripeness of the grapes. The timing is based on the winemaker’s decision according to the style of wine to be produced. In Bozokbağ, the harvest is always at dawn break when the grapes are at their full ripening stage, amidst the excited and sweet hustle and bustle of the local people.

The grapes, carefully placed in crates, are delivered to the cool pre-processing rooms of the winery, with care taken to preserve their character. Then, using Suvla winery’s special gravity system, they are transferred to fermentation tanks. Thus, the wine’s journey begins.