Turkey’s Aegean region may not yet be a staple on American wine lists, but Selendi Wines is rapidly changing that perception. Drawing from one of the world’s most ancient wine-growing landscapes and applying a distinctly Bordeaux-inspired approach, Selendi’s red wines are earning praise from critics and traction with buyers who are searching for something both familiar and genuinely new.

At the heart of Selendi’s appeal is a compelling duality: French precision in structure and balance, paired with the warmth, altitude, and character of the Aegean. The result is a range of reds that feel immediately approachable to Bordeaux drinkers, yet differentiated enough to spark curiosity across both on- and off-premise channels.

A family vision rooted in place

Selendi Wines is a family-owned, estate-bottled winery founded over twenty years ago by the Öngör family. What began as a passion project has evolved into one of Turkey’s most recognized boutique producers, guided by a simple philosophy: to respect nature, honor the land, and craft wines that reflect the spirit of the Aegean.

The estate’s vineyards sit high in the Sarniç Valley, at elevations exceeding 850 meters above sea level. This altitude, combined with mineral-rich soils and cooler temperatures, gives Selendi’s wines their hallmark freshness, structure, and aging potential. All wines are produced château-style at the estate’s solar-powered winery, where vinification, aging, and bottling take place on site.

Under the direction of Italian oenologist Andrea Paoletti and Pelin Zaimoglu of the Öngör family, Selendi’s winemaking approach blends French discipline with Turkish authenticity, a balance that has resonated strongly with critics.

Critical validation across the board

Selendi’s red wines have attracted attention from some of the industry’s most respected voices. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate describes the wines as “powerful and built to age,” noting their serious structure and clear upside potential. Wine & Spirits Magazine highlighted Selendi among its Top 100, praising the wines for their balance of ripe fruit, spice, and earth, especially at their price points.

Perhaps most telling is the response from The Washington Post, which described Selendi Green, a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, as tasting “like a young Bordeaux without the price tag.” The comparison speaks directly to Selendi’s positioning: wines that deliver classic structure and depth, without the cost barrier often associated with established European regions.

Why Selendi’s reds resonate

Selendi’s red portfolio leans confidently into international grape varieties, offering familiarity while allowing the Aegean terroir to shine through.

- Selendi Green, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, delivers dark cherry, blackcurrant, and violet notes with a medium body and spice-driven finish. It is often cited as the most “Bordeaux-like” expression in the range.

- Selendi Artist Series, incorporating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc, offers a darker, velvety profile with spicy plum and ripe dark fruit, supported by soft tannins and structure.

- Selendi Estate Cabernet Franc brings a fresher, more aromatic expression, with notes of raspberry, blueberry, and pink pepper, balanced by vibrant acidity and a long finish.

- Selendi Purple, a Rhône-inspired blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre, Merlot, and Cinsault, adds a fruit-forward, approachable option with medium body and broad appeal across retail and by-the-glass programs.

Across the range, the wines consistently deliver balance, freshness, and structure—qualities that critics and buyers alike associate with classic Old World reds.

Momentum in the U.S. market

Since beginning U.S. imports less than a year ago, Selendi has already sold over 6,000 bottles in New York alone, a strong signal of market receptivity. The brand is expanding its footprint through established distributors such as Southern Glazer’s in California, Breakthru Beverage in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic, and Empire Merchants in New York, while continuing targeted self-distribution in New York and New Jersey.

For sommeliers and retailers, Selendi offers a compelling value proposition: sustainably made, estate-driven wines from an ancient region, supported by strong critical acclaim and competitive pricing.

A new classic for modern lists

Selendi’s reds succeed because they strike a rare balance. They speak the language of Bordeaux—structure, age-worthiness, and restraint—while carrying the warmth, spice, and sense of place unique to the Aegean. For U.S. on-trade buyers looking to refresh their selections with wines that are both credible and distinctive, Selendi offers something increasingly rare: authenticity without obscurity, and tradition without stagnation.

As Selendi continues to expand across the U.S., its reds are proving that sometimes the most exciting “new” wines come from the oldest soils of all.

Header image sourced from Selendi Wines.