Doluca
Pronouncing Doluca and key Turkish terms
Founded in 1926, Doluca is one of Turkey's oldest and most influential wineries, shaping the country's modern wine industry across nearly a century.
Doluca, founded in 1926 by Turkey's first trained oenologist, stands as one of the country's oldest and most pioneering wine producers. The family-owned winery operates from Çerkezköy in Thrace with a 14-million-liter annual capacity and exports to 23 countries. Its portfolio spans indigenous and international varieties across seven major wine series.
- Founded 1926 by Nihat Kutman, Turkey's first trained oenologist, who studied at the Geisenheim Institute in Germany
- Currently operated by the third generation of the Kutman family: Ali Kutman and Sibel Kutman Oral
- Production facility in Çerkezköy, Tekirdağ, with 14 million liter annual capacity
- Over 47 wine products across series including Villa Doluca, Sarafin, Kav, Karma, Tuğra, Signium, and Alçitepe
- Exports to 23 countries across the globe
- Introduced international grape varieties to Turkey in the 1930s and 1940s
- Vineyards span 3,300+ decares across Thrace, the Gallipoli Peninsula, Denizli, and Uşak
History and Founding
Doluca was established in 1926 by Nihat Kutman, who holds the distinction of being Turkey's first formally trained oenologist, having studied at the renowned Geisenheim Institute in Germany. From the outset, Kutman brought a technical and scientific approach to Turkish winemaking that set Doluca apart. In the 1930s and 1940s, the winery introduced international grape varieties to Turkey, a move that fundamentally shaped the country's viticultural direction. The Villa Doluca series followed in 1969, and the premium Sarafin line launched in the 1990s, pioneering varietal-labeled wines in Turkey. The production facility has since relocated from Mürefte to Çerkezköy in Tekirdağ.
- Founded 1926 by Nihat Kutman, trained at Geisenheim Institute, Germany
- International varietals introduced to Turkey in the 1930s and 1940s
- Villa Doluca series established 1969; Sarafin premium line launched in the 1990s
- Facility relocated from Mürefte to Çerkezköy, Tekirdağ
Ownership and Operations
Doluca remains a family-owned winery now in its third generation, led by Ali Kutman and Sibel Kutman Oral. The Çerkezköy production facility operates at a capacity of 14 million liters per year, producing over 47 distinct wine products. The winery sources the majority of its grapes from its own vineyards, ensuring control over quality from vine to bottle. Doluca exports to 23 countries, making it one of Turkey's most internationally visible wine producers.
- Third-generation family ownership under Ali Kutman and Sibel Kutman Oral
- 14 million liter annual production capacity at Çerkezköy
- Over 47 wine products across multiple series
- Exports to 23 countries worldwide
Vineyards and Regions
Doluca's vineyards extend across more than 3,300 decares, spanning four distinct growing areas: Thrace, the Gallipoli Peninsula, Denizli, and Uşak. The Thrace region, the winery's heartland, benefits from a maritime climate shaped by the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara. These cooler, sea-influenced conditions suit both indigenous Turkish varieties and international grapes. The geographic diversity across multiple regions gives Doluca access to a wide range of growing conditions.
- 3,300+ decares of vineyards across Thrace, Gallipoli Peninsula, Denizli, and Uşak
- Maritime climate influenced by the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara
- Multiple elevations and microclimates across growing regions
- Majority of production sourced from estate vineyards
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Look it up →Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Doluca works with an unusually broad range of grapes, combining indigenous Turkish varieties with established international ones. Indigenous reds include Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, and Kalecik Karası, while native whites include Narince, Sultaniye, and Yapıncak. International varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, Gamay, Cinsault, and Fiano. The portfolio ranges from entry-level blends to premium monovarietal wines across series such as Villa Doluca, Sarafin, Kav, Karma, Tuğra, Signium, and Alçitepe.
- Indigenous reds: Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, Kalecik Karası
- Indigenous whites: Narince, Sultaniye, Yapıncak
- International varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Fiano
- Seven major wine series covering entry-level to premium tiers
Doluca's wines span a wide stylistic range. Indigenous varieties like Boğazkere deliver firm tannins and dark fruit, Öküzgözü offers softer red-fruit character, and Kalecik Karası shows lighter, aromatic elegance. International blends lean toward structured, fruit-forward profiles shaped by Thrace's maritime climate.
- Doluca Villa Doluca Red$10-15Entry-level Thrace blend from Turkey's oldest continuous series, established 1969.Find →
- Doluca Kav Kalecik Karası$20-30Showcases indigenous Kalecik Karası with aromatic, lighter-bodied red fruit character.Find →
- Doluca Sarafin Cabernet Sauvignon$25-40Sarafin pioneered varietal branding in Turkey; structured Thrace Cabernet with international style.Find →
- Doluca Signium$50-70Doluca's top-tier red, representing the winery's highest expression from Thrace estate vineyards.Find →
- Founded 1926 by Nihat Kutman, Turkey's first trained oenologist, educated at Geisenheim Institute, Germany
- Third-generation family producer; current leadership: Ali Kutman and Sibel Kutman Oral
- Production base in Çerkezköy, Tekirdağ; 14 million liter annual capacity; exports to 23 countries
- Introduced international varieties to Turkey in the 1930s and 1940s; Sarafin line pioneered varietal branding in the 1990s
- Vineyards span Thrace, Gallipoli Peninsula, Denizli, and Uşak; maritime climate from Aegean and Marmara influence