The Karasakız variety is native to north Kaz Dağları and this indigenous varietal has grown as bush vines in this area of Turkey for centuries. While often compared to old-vine Zinfandel or Grenache on the palate, there is no genetic evidence to support the claim. Harvested from a single vineyard at an altitude of 550 meters, the wine is fermented with native yeast only before aging for 6 months in French and American oak barrels.