Kayra 'Buzbag Rezerv' 2020

While Turkey may not be considered a major wine producing country it can lay claim to being one of the cradles of vinegrowing and winemaking with a history of viticulture dating back to biblical times and beyond. The soils and climate here make it a place capable of being up with the best and in recent years there have certainly been steps in the right direction. Kayra Wines are one of Turkey's most important wine producers and while a relatively new player - they've been around since 2006 - they've a wealth of experience and extensive vineyards and facilities and with foreign investment and expertise they've been starting to make waves. They have two wineries, one in Elazig in eastern Anatolia which was established in 1942 and the other in Sarköy at the other end of the country in Thrace on the European side of the the Bosphorus which was built more recently in 1996. Since the mid 2000s winemaking operations have been under the guidance of Daniel O'Donnell, a Californian with extensive experience in his home country and across the world. Daniel is consultant winemaker with a skilled team working under him. However he's very much hands on himself and spends around two weeks per month at the wineries. Having spent the last decade or so improving the quality of their wines immensely they're certainly a winery to keep an eye on in the future.