Founded by the İşmen family in 2005, Karnas Vineyards is the birthplace of three unique wines that are produced using methods that blend tradition, sustainability and minimal intervention.
California
Beginning with the pursuit of a new curiosity whilst living in the United States and discovering Zinfandel on visits to California, the İşmen family’s journey evolved into a tireless search for the ideal location to return this dark-skinned grape to the lands where it may well have originated.
The Mediterranean
Thought to be one of the oldest grape varietals from which wine is still made, although Zinfandel is best known in California, viticulturist historians in actual fact place the roots of the vine on the Mediterranean coasts.
2005
Through a search to plant this prized variety in Bodrum, on Anatolian lands known to be the very birthplace of winemaking, the ideal microclimate and fertile soils were found nestled in the rolling hills of Karaova Valley.
2013
Here began the quest to create the “oldest new world wine”, reminiscent of the smooth, aromatic wines kept in the ancient amphorae of Halicarnassus of Caria. After careful cultivation of the vine, the first Karnas products were introduced in 2013, and now also include Syrah, Vermentino and Cabernet Franc as well as the table grape Michele Palieri.
2017
Our esteemed Karnas Syrah 2015 received a Master Class degree in the Turkey Sommeliers’ Selection 2017.
The Winemakers
Led by oenologists Jose and Fulya Hernandez, who both hold oenology degrees from Bordeaux and have consulted at vineyards across the globe, Karnas Vineyards masterfully produces premium wines whose traits are primarily influenced by the unique characteristics of their terroir.
What guides us
Hand-tended vines, shoot and cluster thinning, and harvests at dawn — methods that respect the grape.
An environmentally conscious farm committed to sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
Wines whose character comes first from their terroir — the soil, the sea breeze and the sun of Karaova.
