Barbare Vineyard and Hotel

Chris Vannoy
May 9
4 min read

Barbare Winery: A Southern Rhône Spirit on the Shores of the Marmara

Barbare Winery is not just a destination—it’s a full wine experience. Stting above the rolling hills of Tekirdağ’s Barbaros region, with sweeping views of the Marmara Sea, it combines the elements of a working organic vineyard, an elegant winehouse, a boutique hotel, and a refined restaurant, making it one of the most accessible winery escapes within reach of Istanbul. And while the setting is undeniably scenic, it’s the story inside the bottle that sets Barbare apart.

Close-up of a wine bottle labeled "Barbare Premier Reserve IX-XI-XII" on a wooden table, with wine glasses in the blurred background.

At the heart of Barbare is a deep connection to Southern Rhône winemaking traditions. Can Topsakal, the founder of Barbare, studied in France, including time in the legendary Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. That influence has shaped both the grape varieties grown—Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot—and the winemaking philosophy that emphasizes bold blending, low yields, extended oak aging, and a reverence for the soil.

A French Dream, Reimagined in Thrace

Inspired by his friend and mentor, Mr. Arnaud, proprietor of Château Cabrières and Château Maucoil in the Rhône Valley, Topsakal set out to bring a similar ethos to Turkey. After scouting locations across the country, he settled on Yazır Karaağaçlık village, where he purchased land in 2000 and began planting vines by 2003.

With the help of celebrated Rhône oenologist Xavier Vignon, a consultant to many Châteauneuf estates, Barbare began a journey of transformation—from raw land to a fully realized wine destination. Vignon still travels from France monthly and oversees much of the vineyard and cellar work, particularly during harvest.

Today, Barbare operates across 230 acres of certified organic land, working biodynamically and sustainably. The estate’s vineyards sit atop limestone and clay-rich soils at elevations that allow for cooling sea breezes—ideal for ripening the thick-skinned, sun-loving Rhône varietals while maintaining freshness.

A Bold Approach to Winemaking: Blends, Oak, and Time

What makes Barbare’s wines so distinctive is their commitment to blending and patience. Like the great Châteauneuf wines, Barbare frequently blends not just grape varieties, but even multiple vintages to achieve layered, age-worthy complexity.

Many of their top cuvées undergo oak aging for up to 36 months—a bold move in a region where many producers are content with 6 to 12. But it’s this slow, deliberate maturation that gives Barbare’s wines their signature structure, spice, and longevity.

Flagship Barbare Wines to Know:

Premier Reserve IX-XI-XII: A standout blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre from three different vintages. Deep, complex, and silky with black cherry, licorice, and Provençal herbs.
Premier XL GSM + CS: One of Barbare’s most powerful wines (15% ABV), adding Cabernet Sauvignon into the classic GSM blend. Aged 36 months in oak and limited to 5,000 bottles—rich, structured, and cellar-worthy.
Premier Mourvèdre: A rarity in Turkish winemaking—100% Mourvèdre aged for three years in French oak. Leather, plum, and pepper, with impressive grip.
Premier Grenache: Also aged 36 months in oak, this wine is a fruit-forward homage to Rhône grenache, with warm raspberry notes, spice, and elegance.
Prestige Cabernet Sauvignon & Mourvèdre Blend: A value-driven red with serious pedigree. Balanced, medium-bodied, and versatile.
Elegance GSM: A softer take on the GSM blend, aged 18 months in oak, with 10,000 bottles produced. Silky, floral, and ideal for drinking young.
Ambiance SGM: A more Syrah-driven blend, spicy and generous, ideal with grilled meats.
Spica SGM: A variant with extra oak influence (12 months), leaning into Syrah’s dark fruit and smoke.
Notr Wine (Merlot): A natural fermentation Merlot, unsulfured, with only 3,000 bottles made—bright, raw, and expressive.
Sauvignon Blanc: A crisp, citrusy white offering lift and contrast to the heavy reds, showing that Barbare is no one-trick pony.
Rosé from GSM: A vibrant, food-friendly rosé made from the same classic varietals, about 5,000 bottles per year.

Beyond the Bottle: Wine Tourism Done Right

Barbare Winery has evolved far beyond winemaking. In 2013, the Barbaros Vineyard House opened—initially with just 6 rooms, but now expanded to a full-service boutique wine hotel with over 30 rooms, multiple room styles, and views overlooking either the vineyards, mountains, or the Marmara Sea.

It’s a year-round destination, equally welcoming for cozy winter fireplace tastings or breezy summer harvests. Packages include:

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Two bottles of wine per night (one per meal)
Winery tour and tasting experience

The rooms range from Backyard Rooms surrounded by lavender and pomegranate trees, to Sea View Suites that open onto the endless vineyards rolling into the horizon.

Jazz, Tastings, and Seasonal Events

What makes Barbare especially popular with Istanbulites is not just its wine, but the cultural atmosphere. Weekend jazz performances by Turkish musicians create a relaxed, artsy mood that perfectly matches the depth of the wines.

A View Like No Other at Barbare Vineyard

Situated on high ground with panoramic views of the Marmara Sea, Barbare Winery may have one of the best vineyard views in Thrace. Whether you’re sipping wine at sunset or waking up in your room to rows of vines glowing in the morning light, the estate delivers a visual serenity to match its rich, rustic wines.

Organic and Sustainable: More Than a Trend

Barbare’s commitment to organic certification and sustainable farming isn’t just a label—it’s a cornerstone of their vineyard work. With careful hand harvesting, low yields (averaging 350-400 kg per hectare), and a strong belief in giving back to the soil, they operate with a respect for terroir that echoes their French mentors.

Planning Your Visit

Barbare Winery is located about two hours from Istanbul, making it one of the closest full-service winery experiences to the city. Whether for a romantic weekend, a group tasting trip, or a solo retreat, the property offers flexibility and charm.

Final Thoughts: Turkish Terroir Meets Rhône Ambition

Barbare Winery is a place where Turkish terroir and French ambition meet. With vineyard-to-glass integrity, a taste for bold GSM blends, and a hospitality offering that embraces food, wine, music, and nature, it sets a high bar for wine tourism in the region.

If you’re drawn to Southern Rhône wines, and appreciate wines that take their time to age and evolve, Barbare should be on your short list. And if you’re looking for a weekend away from Istanbul—something real, something rooted—Barbare is ready to pour you a glass.