Caeli Winery & Caeli Hotel

Chris Vannoy
Apr 21
5 min read

Caeli Winery: A Hidden Gem of Art and Turkish Wine Definitely Worth a Visit

Revisiting Caeli Winery: A Personal Journey

Illuminated garden at sunset with glowing sculptures and colorful lights, surrounded by fields and trees. Peaceful and inviting mood. — A View of Caeli Winery and Modern Art Installations

In October 2021, I first stepped through the sculptural gates of Caeli Winery—a literal “Porta Caeli,” or gate of heaven—into a world that felt both deeply rooted in tradition and brimming with forward-looking ambition.

Red arch sculpture in vineyard setting, with bright blue sky and lush greenery. Stone path leads through the arch's center, creating a serene mood. — The Porta Caeli

Nestled in the historical district of Turkey’s Gallipoli Peninsula, Caeli impressed me from the outset with its modern art and architectural elegance, its devotion to terroir, and its commitment to producing exceptional wines in a uniquely Turkish context.

Fast forward to today, I’ve just had the pleasure of tasting a new selection of Caeli wines at a refined food and wine pairing event held at Olympos Mountain Lodge in Beycik. Chef Mehmet Ali’s contemporary Anatolian cuisine was masterfully paired by sommelier Alp Açık with six wines from Caeli’s portfolio. Experiencing these wines again, in such a carefully curated culinary context, deepened my appreciation for what Caeli is achieving—and why their story deserves greater attention.

What Makes Caeli Winery Unique?

The Vineyards Amidst the Pine Forest

A Bold Agricultural Vision. Caeli is the result of a long-term vision, begun in 2002 with research into site potential, culminating in the selection of Eceabat in 2007, and leading to planting across 170 hectares (1700 decares) of vineyards. What sets Caeli apart begins in the vineyard—planted at an extraordinarily dense 1x1 meter spacing (10,000 vines per hectare), a rarity in Turkey. This method encourages vine competition, forces deeper rooting, and ultimately, results in more concentrated grapes.

Microclimate Marvel. Situated in a protected national park, Caeli benefits from a trio of unique climatic features: the maritime influence of the Aegean Sea, the pine-resin-laden air of surrounding forests, and the constant breezes of the Çanakkale Strait. These elements form a natural microclimate that slows grape ripening and intensifies flavor development.

Scientific Precision Meets Craft. Caeli’s commitment to quality viticulture includes 24-hour meteorological monitoring, rigorous pre-harvest analysis on 1600 variables, and exclusively hand-harvested grapes. Despite the operational difficulty of this process, it guarantees superior must quality. Grapes are chilled before processing, ensuring fresh aromatics, and are subjected to multiple rounds of sorting—first by cluster, then by individual berry.

Large wooden vats and steel tanks in a warm, well-lit industrial winery setting, with wooden beams and a polished floor. — Impressive Fermentation Tanks

From Grape to Glass—Onsite. Emulating Bordeaux’s château model, Caeli processes all

grapes in a gravity-fed winery adjacent to the vineyards. The wines mature in French oak—up to 3500 barrels’ worth at a time—and rest until ready for release. Everything happens on-site, preserving aromatics and structural integrity from vine to bottle

A Walk Through the Caeli Wines

The tasting at Olympos Mountain Lodge offered a beautifully curated flight. Here are the standouts:

1. Porta Diverti Rosé

Not your average pink wine, this dry rosé showed complexity and savory character. There was a faint herbal salinity alongside minerality and subtle effervescence—a lively and food-friendly wine that felt both elegant and serious.

2. Pacem Sauvignon Blanc

Aromatic with hints of asparagus and hay, this wine played between citrus and orchard fruits. Described by Alp Açık as “eccentric but disciplined,” it reminded me of restrained power with exacting structure.

3. Pacem White Blend

Composed of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Viognier, this blend danced across the palate with soft stone fruit, lemon blossom, and hints of oak. At 13.2% ABV, it had both finesse and staying power—a quietly confident white.

4. Felicita Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé

More robust and structured than the Porta Diverti, this rosé hinted at bubble gum and tart berries. It demanded food, and rightly so—it was served with a smoked lamb offal dish that matched it beautifully.

5. Porta Caeli Red 2022

A Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc-led blend with Petit Verdot, this wine was bold, structured, and velvety, with flavors of ripe black fruits, toast, and graphite. It showed the house’s skill at managing oak and tannins while retaining varietal identity.

6. Ament Cabernet Franc – A Personal Favorite

This wine deserves its own section!

The Caeli Winery

Cabernet Franc: Turkey’s Best Undiscovered Red Grape?

Tasting Caeli’s Ament Cabernet Franc—first at their winery and again at Olympos Mountain Lodge—confirmed something I’ve long suspected: Cabernet Franc might be the best red grape for Turkey. In numerous discussions with Alp Acik, we agree that Cabernet Franc is very much at home in Turkey, likely more so than some other international varieties.

Often overshadowed by its more assertive offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon, or the plush appeal of Merlot and the spice-laden Syrah, Cabernet Franc has historically flown under the radar. But in Turkey, its aromatic delicacy, adaptability to diverse terroirs, and moderate ripening requirements make it incredibly well-suited.

At Caeli, Cabernet Franc reveals itself with poise and complexity: cocoa, black pepper, cassis, and earthy undertones ride along fine tannins and shimmering acidity. The grape ripens earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon, making it ideal for Turkey’s regions with varying harvest windows or unpredictable autumn rains. Growing well in Thrace and the Guney Plateau as well.

Moreover, its innate herbal and floral character adds aromatic lift to blends and intrigue to single varietals. Caeli’s Ament is proof of concept that with the right site and viticulture, Cabernet Franc can produce wines that are elegant, age-worthy, and unmistakably expressive of their place.

Two people smile beside a large orange rabbit sculpture in a grassy area under a blue sky. A white car is visible in the background. — Alice in Wonderland?

Hotel Caeli: A Symphony of Art, Architecture, and Hospitality

Beyond the vines, Hotel Caeli is a destination in its own right. This 21-room boutique hotel is situated right in the heart of the vineyard estate, embodying a seamless union of art, nature, and luxury.

As a visitor, you’re surrounded by world-class modern art from the moment you arrive—both indoors and out. Sculptures by Seçkin Pirim, whose “Gate of Heaven” inspired the winery’s name and logo, anchor the garden’s visual identity. Inside, curated works from Turkish and international artists infuse the interiors with a sense of creative dynamism.

Yet, this is no sterile gallery. The atmosphere is warmly hospitable, with thoughtful details throughout—from natural materials and curated books to locally sourced, seasonal menus. The rooms overlook vines that change color with the seasons, reminding you of your place within a living landscape.

A Winery Built for the Future

Caeli is not just about making wine—it is about building a resilient future for Turkish viticulture. Their practices reflect this: dry-farming, detailed soil and water analyses, no irrigation thanks to deep-rooted vines and ideal clay sublayers, and an emphasis on biodiversity and soil health.

Stylish lounge with brown sofas, wooden beams, and wine bottles. Stairs lead down to tables. Bright, modern design with green plants. — The Winery(!) at Caeli

Equally impressive is their use of technology in service of tradition. From laser-guided vineyard planting to cold-chain harvest protocols and 24-hour climate monitoring, Caeli leverages every tool available to uphold quality at every stage.

It’s also clear that their collaboration with renowned consultants—Michel Rolland, Sam Harrop, and Semril Zorlu—has helped shape a winemaking philosophy that respects both terroir and modern taste preferences. Today, under the direction of winemaker Can Devrim, Caeli is entering a confident second decade of production, with a clear voice and refined identity.

Final Thoughts: Tasting Heaven, From Gallipoli to the Taurus Mountains

Caeli Winery represents a high point—both figuratively and literally—for Turkish wine. My recent tasting at the tranquil Olympos Mountain Lodge, under Chef Mehmet Ali’s visionary cuisine and sommelier Alp Açık’s guidance, reawakened my excitement for Turkish wines, and the role Caeli plays in that story.

While it’s easy to get swept away by Bordeaux comparisons or the grandeur of the facility, what keeps me coming back to Caeli wines is something much simpler: precision, patience, and purpose. These are wines made with intention—wines that tell stories of soil, sun, and slow maturation.

And if you ask me which bottle tells that story best? The Ament Cabernet Franc. Playful, elegant, and full of quiet strength—much like the winery itself.