ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Selendi
The Selendi Vineyards are located in the picturesque valley of Sarnıçköy, high above the ancient and storied town of Akhisar in Western Turkey. In 2000, Akın and Gülin Öngör began Selendi as a passion project out of a deep appreciation for the fertile land, an unshakable entrepreneurial spirit and insatiable desire for challenge. They were joined by their two children: Pelin is the assistant winemaker and her brother Yavuz, who lives in New York, takes care of the sales. The family’s mission: produce great wines that reflect the true flavors of this ancient land and share these wines with friends and family. Community and responsibility are hallmarks of the brand. During harvest, skilled workers from neighboring villages join in – a jovial atmosphere of gathering, picking and sorting the grapes by hand.
The vineyards are more than 850 Meters above sea level. Under the guidance of Bernard Grandchamp, one of the worlds leading oenologists, this precise location was selected carefully by setting up meteorological stations to measure and evaluate the soil quality and climate conditions. Over years of research and examination, French and Turkish grape varieties that are optimal for the region were cloned to their specifications and imported by Selendi.
Over the past two decades, the Öngör family has created an award winning portfolio and brought Turkey’s first estate-bottled wine to an international audience. They currently produce 80,000 bottles of 100% organic, estate bottled and minimal intervention wines with renowned winemaker Andrea Paoletti from Florence, famous for his work at Masseto wines.
Farming practices: Certified Organic by Ecocert. “Naturally farming and harvesting our grapes not only produces a superior product, but also allows us to protect our biggest asset- the land itself.”
Over the past two decades, the Öngör family has created an award winning portfolio and brought Turkey’s first estate-bottled wine to an international audience.
