Winehouses
Wine is a culture gradually gaining more prestige in Turkey, and seems that the production and consumption have also increased in Turkey. There are efforts to establish its place among quality product in the global market. There are many wine boutiques in big cities. Moreover, some wine lovers have begun to produce their own wine at home.
The daily Hürriyet newspaper asked the expert jury for the best ten winehouses in Turkey. Here are the results:
Şarabi
Şarabi is at the entrance of the historical Çiçek Pasajı on İstiklal Caddesi.
The site has three stories and has a capacity of 170. On some days, jazz performances
take place. There are more than 100 kinds of local and imported wines on the
menu. The table wine made for Şarabi by Doluca, the white wine called Pasaj
and the red Pasaj made for Şarabi by Turasan are among the favorites. Besides
Kavaklıdere, Kutman, Turasan and various Anatolian wines, the menu also offers
Italian, French and Chilean wines. The food is also delicious.
Viktor Levi
Today's Viktor Levi was founded in the building of the historical Viktor Levi
Winehouse in 2000. They sell the wines specially produced for them by the Doluca
and Yazgan wine companies. Adakarası, Papazkarası, Karasakız and No. 59 are
among the favorites. Cabernet Sauvignor and Kalecik Karası by Kavaklıdere are
also available. It is a three-story building with a capacity of 400. Beer is
also served. The menu consists of Mexican and Italian food, salads and desserts.
Pano
Pano winehouse was founded by Panayot Papadapulos in 1898. It was renovated
in 1997. Mostly, specialties of Pano and Viktor Levi are served. No. 10 and
Beyaz Şevval, specially produced for Pano by Doluca and Yazgan, are the favorites.
The menu is rich and the Pano Special Fillet, prepared with special sauces and
served with mushroom, kaşar cheese and garniture topping, is the specialty of
Pano.
İsabey Vineyards and House
Isabey Vineyards and House belong to the Sevilen brand and are located in a
vineyard with an area of 8000 m2. It is open everyday between 12:00 and 22:30.
It was founded in 2002, and 30 kinds of Sevilen brand wine such as Cabarnet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignan, Grenache, Semillon and Chardonnay are produced
from the grapes of their own vineyard. Wine-making tours are organized in August
and wine seminars are arranged twice a year. The menu is composed of French
and Italian cuisine.
Hayyami
It is named after the 11th century Iranian poet Omar Khayyam (spelled Ömer Hayyam
in Turkish), famous for his poems on wine, love and joy. Hayyami has a capacity
of 200 people and offers 40 kinds of wine. The favorite is Hayyami Special,
produced specially for Hayyami by Yazgan wines. Also, famous brands such as
Pamukkale, Turasan, Diren, Buzbağ, plus French wines are available. The rich
menu and wine cocktails of Hayyami are among the favorites.
Wine House Swiss Chalet
Wine House is one of the oldest establishments in Ankara. When Joe Löliger of
Switzerland became the partner in 2003, the name was changed to Wine House Swiss
Chalet. The decoration resembles a Swiss chalet. It offers 81 kinds of wine.
In addition to Swiss wines, it offers Turkish wines such as Kavaklıdere, Doluca
and Diren. Yakut, Çankaya, Doluca, Antik and Kavaklıdere Selection are among
the favorites. Kavaklıdere also produces barrel wine especially for Wine House.
The place has a capacity of 200 people. The menu consists of selections from
Swiss, French, Italian and Chinese cuisine. Live classical music with violin
and guitar is performed three days a week.
Hazzapulo
This two-story wine house is located at the historical Hazzapulo arcade on Meşrutiyet
Avenue, Beyoğlu. The decoration also features historical characteristics. Besides
the Hazzapulo wine specially produced in Mürefte, the wine house also offers
60 kinds of local and imported wines. The menu is comprised of grilled meat,
various kinds of fish and warm mezes (appetizers).
Isis
Isis has been serving as a café-bar-restaurant in Kadıköy since 1997. The wine
house was opened in 2003 on the top floor of this four-story building. The wine
menu consists of 150 kinds of wine from fourteen countries such as France, Italy,
the USA, Australia and Chile. Doluca produces Isis brand wine for them. Wine
tasting and wine lessons are also available.
Asım'ın Yeri (Asım's Place)
An underground house in Cappadocia was restored and became a wine house in 2000.
The house has two separate part, one of which serves as a wine house while the
other serves as a disco and bar. The capacity is 120 people. The wine is Turasan,
mostly produced from the grapes of the region. Dinner is not served. Cheese,
fresh and dried fruit accompany the wine. Turkish folk and ethnic music are
played.
Canan'ın Yeri (Canan's place)
Canan (literally beloved) Özinsal runs this wine house, which is carved from
natural rocks. It offers tourists wine produced from the grapes of the Cappadocia
region. Still, Turasan 97, Kalecik Karası and Öküzgözüare also among the favorites.
Ms. Canan also takes to the stage and dances for the groups. Food is not served.
Various kinds of fresh and dried fruits accompany the wine.