Kıbrısın şarap yapımında 5000 yıllık bir geçmişi oldugu halde şarap sevenlerin birle stiği inanç noktasi kıbrısta üretilen şarapların kalitesinin düşük olduğudur Bu bir gerçektir ki bu güne kadar kıbrısın kuzeyinde hiç bir zaman kaliteli şarap üretilmemistir. Kaliteli şarap yapıla bileceğine inançli olanları da bulmak güçtür. Bu kavram bu günden sonra değişecektir.
Although Cyprus has some 5000 years history of winemaking there is no doubt that amongst wine-lovers, the perceptions of the quality of the island’s wines is generally very low. Indeed, North Cyprus there has never been a quality wine producer. Many said that it was not possible to make fine wine in the north, until today.
Geçit Köy kıbrısın çok iyi bilinmiyen küçük bir köyüdür, yillarca dikkatli araştırmadan sonra milletler arası ünlü uzmanlarin da yardımı ile Mustafa ve Şengül Chateau St Hilarion saraplarinin doğum yeri olarak Geçit Köy Seçilmistir.
Geçitköy is perhaps not the best known village in North Cyprus, but after years of detailed research and advice from international wine consultants this, one of the coolest sites in Cyprus, was the site chosen by Mustafa and Şengül Seyfi for the wine of Chateau St. Hilarion.
Halen adada büyüyen kıbrısa özgü Mavro ve Xsinister şaraplık üzümler kaliteli şarap üretimi için uygun değildir. Chateau St Hilarion şarapları için seçilen dünyaca kalitesi bilinen Cabernet Sovignon ve Siraz Seçilmistir. Bağin dikiminde son yıllarin teknik bilgilerinı kullanilmiş yıllık bakım programi uygulayarak ürünün kaliteye yüksek katkısı olacak şekilde üzüm uretilmistir Yeni şarap fabrikası bilinçli olarak kurulmuş ve yuksek özelikli sıcaklık ve soğukluk kontrollu Italyan yapımı çelik tanklar la donatılmıstır. Ayrıca üzümü salkımdan ayıran, ezen, sıkan, süzen, şişeleme, mantarlama, Kapsuleme ve etiketleme makineleri de ihal edilmiştir, Bunun yanında Avrupa ve dunya standardına şarap üreten teknisyenlerin de bilgilerinden yararlanılmıştır.
Although the island has several indigenous grape varieties, Including Mavro and Xynisteri, they are not suitable for high quality wine. So the vines chosen for Chateau St. Hilarion are the finest clones of international varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Semillon. The vines have been planted according to the latest viticultural practices, and the annual cultivation programme is built around restricting yield and enhancing quality. A new state of the art winery has been built, and equipped to the highest specification. Top quality temperature controlled fermentation vats were imported from Italy, along with every necessary piece of high specification equipment. This is added to each year as part of the continuous investment. But the most important import has been: KNOWLEGE.
Mustafa Ingilterede saygın şarap eğitimini tamamlayıp dunyanın şarap yapan memleketlerini bir bir gezerek nasıl kaliteli ve özel bir şarap yapıldığı yönünde incelemelerde bulunmustur Ingiltere ve güney Afrikadan yardımları iyi değerlendirmistir Mustafa kaliteli sarap yapımı için yola çıktığında bu yolun yalnız uzun ve zor olacağının bilinçiyle yola cıkmıştır 14 yil yoğun yılmadan adada olmayan makineleri yedek parçaları katkı madelerini ve bilgi tasımıştiır. Mustafa ve Şengülün bu şahane adada dünya kalitesinde şarap üretebileceginin inancından kaynaklanmıştır.
Mustafa has studied accredited wine courses, and has travelled to many of the world’s classic wine regions, including South Africa, Chile, Argentina, France and Spain to learn how they achieve individuality and excellence. He is ably assisted by expert consultants from UK and South Africa, but Mustafa is the first to admit that producing high quality wine in a country that has no history of it poses challenges. For example, all winery equipment, spares and yeasts have had to be imported, and there are no experienced, qualified technicians available. However, local people are being trained to give them the necessary skills, and create employment.
The project has taken 14 years to come to fruition and has involved considerable investment in both capital and time. But Mustafa and Şengül wanted to show that this glorious island could be home to a world class wine.
Bağ ve şarap hane Girnenin 20 km batısında Gecit köyde kurulmustur , bu bölge iyice incelenmiş ekim öncesi itina ile tarlalar hazırlanmış direk ve tell sistemi kurulmuş damlama sistemi kurulup ekime yapılmıstı.
Chateau St Hilarion sarapları için seçilen cinsler en seçkin kalitelicinslerdir Cabernet Sovignon, Siraz, bunlardan ayri Merlot, Mouverdre, cinsalt ve granach, Chourdoney, semilyon, Muscat, Chenin blanc da ekilmiştir
The main vineyard is based at Geçitköy, some 20 miles to the west of Kyrenia. Many potential sites were considered and analyzed before this site was chosen. The land was carefully prepared: ripped and crossed, and equipped with an irrigation and trellis system. In such a hot climate it is important that the vine canopy is designed to give balanced vines.
The main vines chosen for Chateau St. Hilarion are the finest clones of international varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. In addition there are small plantings of many other varieties, the reds including Merlot, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. The are also plantings of Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc. The vines have been planted according to the latest viticultural practices, and the annual cultivation programme is built around restricting yield and enhancing quality. Regular and careful monitoring takes place to ensure that pests and diseases are not allowed to detract from the quality of the fruit The date of harvest is always a crucial decision. At Chateau St Hilarion the aim is to achieve optimal ripeness, and wines showing good balance of fruit. acidity, tannin, and body.
A new state of the art winery has been built, and equipped to the highest specification. Top quality temperature controlled fermentation vats were imported from Italy, along with every necessary piece equipment: crusher, press, filters, bottling and labelling equipment etc. Also imported are all the required agents, including specified yeast cultures. Although wine production is as much art as science, every step is taken to ensure quality, consistency and individuality. All the wine is subject to careful analysis to ensure it meets the winery’s specification.
Keith Granger tanınmış bir şarap uzmanıdır ve yazardır Ingiltere ve güney Afrikada ikamet etmektedir Keith “ The Association of wine Educators” in kurucusudur ve teknik konularda geniş bilgisi vardır. Son yazdığı kitap Hazel Tattersall in katkısıyla yazılmış (Wine Production) ve (Wine to Bottle) şarap ögrenımı yapan öğrenciler tarafından büyük ilgi gormüştür ayrıca Keith Konferans çevrelerinde aranan ve konuşmaci olarak (Rioja) Spain & Margeret River (Australya) da
Mustafa ve Şengülün çocuklarından da büyük yardımlar görmüştür başından olmak üzere dikiminde bulunmuşlar her yıl bağ bozumunda toplamaya ve yapımın çeşitli zamanlarında yardımda bulunmuşlardır. En büyüğü Selda (24) Ingiltere ve Almanyada üniversite de International business management diğrisini 2004 da almıştır management konsalten olarak katkı sağlamaktadır. Eliz (22) başarılı bir publik relation manegeridir, ustelıkle cok basarılı guzellik salonu var. Murat (18) şu anda Warwickshire Col-
Keith Grainger is a well known wine consultant, lecturer and writer based in UK and South Africa. He is a founder of the leading trade association “The Association of Wine Educators” and is very experienced in technical matters. His latest book, co-written with Hazel Tattersall: “Wine Production – Vine to Bottle” has been a big hit with trade students in many countries. He is also highly sought on the conference circuit and was a keynote speaker at recent wine conferences in Rioja (Spain) and Margeret River (Australia)
From the very first vintage (2004) released to the market, the wines have been a total success in North Cyprus and abroad. Their presence in the top restaurants and 5 star hotels in the island has helped build an international reputation, and all at Chateau St Hilarion are grateful for the wonderful support received from restaurateurs, hoteliers, journalists, ministers and a whole army of wine lovers. The wines are now available in the United Kingdom where they are already receiving acclaim. The limited quantities of white and rosé released each year sell out within weeks!