The Çakır Winery & Vineyards are located in Kuşçular Village, Urla. The 8,500 sqm land, a 30-year-old vineyard, was acquired in 1999 by the Çakır family, Sevinç and Erol Çakır, who are lawyers by profession. After years of nurturing the vineyards, the family realised their dream by launching their first wine series, “Somnium,” in 2018, a Latin term meaning “dream.” The winery officially opened to visitors in 2020, offering a blend of tradition and modernity in winemaking. The winery is housed in a white stone façade building and features tasting areas, a cellar, a lounge with a fireplace, guestrooms, an indoor restaurant, and garden terraces overlooking the vineyards.
The first two wine label series follow Sevinç and Erol Çakır’s journey: the dream (Somnium) and the adventure (Adventum). The third Yarımadalı translates from Turkish as “Peninsula.”
Çakır Winery – Table of Contents
Çakır Winery Location & Contacts
Kuşçular mh, 8036. Sk. No.54, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 759 0629 – Çakır Winery website
The winery and restaurant are open seven days a week from 13:00 to 23:00. As of Summer 2025, wine tastings are available daily, except on Tuesdays, at 14:00, 16:00, and 17:30; reservations are recommended. Reservations +90 530 568 3222.
Çakır Winery Production
Their first commercial harvest was in 2018, when they launched a series of wines under the “Somnium” (meaning “dream” in Latin) label. Initially, they produced four wine varieties; now, with the addition of a 30,000 sqm plot, they can produce thirteen varieties with a capacity of 60,000 litres. The winery sells exclusively to boutique vintners, restaurants, and online, with no distribution to supermarkets.
The winery’s portfolio is diverse, featuring three labels: Somnium, Adventum, and Yarımadalı. The Somnium series features varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Bornova Misketi, and Chardonnay, with some aged in French oak barrels to enhance complexity. The Adventum line focuses on Syrah-based wines, known for their bold flavours and ageing potential. Yarımadalı highlights the Bornova Misketi grape, offering aromatic white wines with citrus and floral notes. Notably, the winery’s Somnium Premium Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot 2018 received a gold medal at the Turkish Wine Challenge 2021, underscoring the quality of their offerings.
Grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Bornova Misketi, and Chardonnay. Due to the delicate, thin skin of the Pinot Noir grape variety and the harsh heat conditions around Urla, it is the only variety brought in (from the neighbouring area of Seferihisar, which is higher and cooler) and used in their production. Wines are tank-fermented.
Çakır Wine Tasting & Restaurant
Visitors to the winery can immerse themselves in a comprehensive wine experience. The estate features a stone-built winery, tasting rooms, a restaurant serving Aegean and Italian-inspired cuisine, and guest accommodations overlooking the vineyards. The serene setting and the family’s passion for winemaking provide an inviting atmosphere for both novices and connoisseurs alike.
The winery offers a four- or six-glass tasting set, featuring two whites, one rosé, and three reds, accompanied by an expert member of the winery who explains each wine in detail. They serve some cheese and breadsticks with the tasting set. As of May 2025, the six-glass tasting set was priced at the equivalent of approximately €18.50 in Turkish Lira.
The winery offers a facility for hosting special events and corporate meetings. It features a four-bedroom hotel, the “Cakir Vineyard House Somnium“, which overlooks the vineyards and can be booked via Airbnb. The Aegean-Italian-inspired restaurant has a seasonal menu and a wood-fired pizza oven.
See also: LikeCesme “Urla Wineries – Şarapçılık“