The Vineyard
A Return to the Land: A Vision Rooted in Hançalar
Growing up in the Hançalar district of Çal, viticulture has always been more than a profession for Salih Kuzu and his family—it is a way of life. Returning to his hometown years later, Salih Kuzu laid the foundations of Kuzubağ in 2005 with the vision of introducing Çal’s ancient heritage to the world. What began with the planting of the first vineyards in 2007 has grown into 500 decares of modern, sustainable, and organic viticulture.
Unique Terroir & Organic Farming
Kuzubağ vineyards are located at an altitude of 850–1100 meters on the Çal plateau, characterized by clay, loam, and calcareous soils. A significant day-night temperature difference of 18–20°C ensures a perfect balance of aromatic intensity and acidity.
Our quality-driven approach includes:
• Low Yield, High Character: Through pruning and cluster thinning, we prioritize concentration and quality over quantity.
• Organic & Sustainable Practices: Building on years of good agricultural practices, we transitioned to certified organic viticulture in recent years.
• Modern & Traditional Techniques: Most vineyards are planted using modern trellis systems with north-south orientation for optimal sun exposure. We also preserve traditional old vines, applying tailored cultivation methods to each variety.
In planning the vineyard, row spacing was set at 2.8 metres and vine spacing at 1 metre, in accordance with the existing machinery. This results in approximately 2,800 vines per hectare. The rows are oriented north to south and trained using a high trellis system. Wooden posts and galvanised wires are used throughout, and irrigation infrastructure has been installed across the vineyard, making it possible to irrigate the entire site when needed.
A Tribute to Çal Karası & Sultaniye
* Preserving local heritage is at the core of our philosophy. Alongside international varieties from France and Italy, we give special importance to indigenous grapes such as Çal Karası and Sultaniye.
* In 2010, in collaboration with the Manisa Viticulture Research Institute, we established the region’s first trellised Çal Karası vineyard using selected clones—bringing together local heritage with modern viticultural techniques.
* We also actively support academic research on Çal Karası, including studies conducted by Ege University, Pamukkale University, and Çukurova University focusing on its clonal and phenolic characteristics. Çal Karası ve Sultaniye’ye ise özel bir yer ayırmak bizler için çok mühimdi. 2010 yılında, Manisa Bağcılık Araştırma Enstitüsü ile iş birliği içinde, seçilmiş klonlarla bölgede ilk kez telli sistemde Çal Karası bağını kurarak bu yerel türün potansiyelini modern tekniklerle buluşturduk. Ege Üniversitesi ve Pamukkale Üniversitesi ortaklığında yapılan Çal Karaıs klon çalışması ve Çukurova Üniversitesi’nde doktora tezi olarak araştırılan Çal Karası’nın fenolik özellikleri ile ilgili yapılan araştırmalara da şaraphanemiz tarafından her türlü destek sağlanmaktadır.
Grape Varieties:
• Red: Çal Karası, Kalecik Karası, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Acıkara, Shiraz, Öküzgözü.
• White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Narince, Sultaniye.
Our Wines:
White Wines
Kuzubağ Sauvignon Blanc
Kuzubağ Chardonnay
Kuzubağ Çal Karası Beyaz
Kuzubağ Sultaniye
Kuzubağ Fume Blanc
Rosé Wines
Kuzubağ Çal Karası-Kalecik Karası Roze
Red Wines
Kuzubağ Çal Karası
Kuzubağ Kalecik Karası
Kuzubağ Haziran
Kuzubağ Öküzgözü-Shiraz
Kuzubağ Hemhâl (Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot)
Kuzubağ Merlot
Kuzubağ Öküzgözü
Kuzubağ Shiraz
Kuzubağ Cabernet Sauvignon
Kuzubağ Hür Amfora Merlot
Sweet Wines
Kuzubağ Hür Çal Karası Red Sweet Wine