Türkiye may not be as well-known as France for its wine. However, grapes have been harvested, and wine has been produced in the country for thousands of years.

Recently, Turkish wine has had a renaissance. Alongside the well-established vineyards and estates, many incredible new-generation wineries have emerged where you can enjoy wine tasting in Türkiye. From visits to established wine producers to an afternoon at a boutique young vineyard, we can arrange an exciting excursion where you gain a real insight into how the local producers are harnessing the unique characteristics of the land to create exceptional red, white, and rose wines suiting most tastes, even that of the most discerning wine connoisseur.

If you or the guests would like to spend an afternoon or evening wine-tasting in Türkiye during your travels along the coast, here are a few of the best wineries along the Aegean worth visiting.

Enjoy Wine-Tasting in Türkiye at These Incredible Locations

Photo Credit: Karnas

Karnas Vineyard, Bodrum

Bodrum, the dazzling gem of the western Aegean, has a long history of making wine due to its unique microclimate, which provides the perfect conditions for growing grapes.

Karnas Vineyard is situated a 20-minute drive outside the town centre in the beautiful Karaova Valley. This stunning 20-hectare estate is family-owned and offers a welcome escape from the tourist crowds. The vineyard was established by the Ismen family in 2005 and is famed as the first winery in Türkiye to produce Zinfandel, a variety of grape the founders fell in love with on a trip to California’s Napa Valley. Alongside Zinfandel, the winery produces several other premium wines, all available to sample and purchase at the estate.

Regular wine-tasting experiences offering the chance to tour the estate and sample the wines can be organised anytime. We can also tailor a bespoke wine-tasting afternoon or evening sampling their award-winning, low-intervention wines while dining on incredible Aegean cuisine at their farm-to-fork restaurant.

SUVLA Winery, Gallipoli

The 1000-hectare family-owned Suvla Winery near Canakkale was founded in 2012. The winery has EU-approved organic status, has been awarded over 650 medals in national and international wine contests, and is well-known for its exquisite range of wines from local grape varieties.

At Sulva, 60 young, premium, and ultra-premium labels are produced using the latest technology. Their wines are featured on wine merchant shelves and in many leading restaurants around the country. The company also produces its own olive oil at the site.

We can organise a tailored wine-tasting trip to Sulva Winery, where guests can enjoy a guided tour of the wines at their tasting bar or expertly chosen wine pairings with lunch or dinner at their well-regarded restaurant.

Photo Credit: Yedi Bilgeler

Yedi Bilgeler Vineyard, Ephesus

The Ephesus region of Izmir has a long history of winemaking, dating back more than 4000 years. Several vineyards can be found around this area. Still, the family-run boutique Yedi Bilgeler (Seven Sages) Vineyard is a beautiful estate located a 15-minute transfer from the famous site of Ephesus, so it’s convenient if you’re stopping off to visit the ancient site.

The winery produces several premium red, white, and rose wines made from grapes that originate from Anatolia, including the Narince, Muscat, and Öküzgözü varieties. In addition, they also produce well-loved favourites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

During a wine-tasting experience at Yedi Bilgeler, you can sample an assortment of wines in their cellar or restaurant. The tour is professionally guided by experts who teach you about the grapes, the local wine-making traditions, and the winery’s age-old sustainable practices.

Lucien Arkas LA Vineyards and Cellars, Torbali, Izmir.

The largest organic vineyard in Turkiye, the Lucien Arkas LA Vineyards, is in Torbali, Izmir, within easy reach of the coast. It produces an impressive selection of reds, whites, and roses using organic viniculture methods and more than 20 different grape varieties, many of which originate locally.

The vineyard was named after its wine-loving shipping magnate owner, Lucien Arkas, in the early 2000s. It has quickly gained recognition for crafting some of the best Turkish wines, winning many awards. The site produces wine suiting most tastes, with popular labels including Cabernet Sauvignon, Bornova Misketi, Syrah, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, Ugni Blanc, and Viognier.

The LA winery offers a first-class wine-tasting experience. Here, you can visit the vineyards and cellars, learn about the wine-making process and grapes, taste various bottles in the elegant tasting room overlooking the estate, and enjoy beautifully selected wine pairings with a gourmet lunch or dinner where most dishes are prepared using local ingredients and produce grown on the estate.

Photo Credit: Urla Winery

The URLA Winery, Urla

The URLA Winery’s setting is beautiful. Founded by Can Ortabaş around twenty years ago as an arboretum called Uzbas, it has since grown into one of the largest and most prestigious wineries in this famed wine-making region.

URLA Winery is known for producing high-end wines and discovering two local grape varieties: the dark red Urla Karasi grape and the Beyazkere, a strong black grape referred to as the “throat burner.” You can taste and purchase many varieties at the winery; notable bottles include their premium reds: URLA Nero (d’Avola and Urla Karasi) and Urla Tempus (Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot). Whites: Urla Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as the easy-to-drink, refreshing Urla Hypnose white made from the local Narince and Beyazkere grapes.

This winery differs from most as it is an arboretum and tasting venue. It does not have a restaurant, so don’t expect to dine here, but do expect an expertly guided and professional experience in a phenomenal setting, sampling some outstanding wine.

HUS Winery, Urla

Another excellent winery in Urla is HUS, situated between Sığacık Bay and Izmir Bay. This vineyard was set up in 2019 by a young couple, Ceylan and her late Chillian husband Juan, who came from a wine-growing family. The estate had been in Ceylan’s family for many years and already had vines present, but much of the new vineyard was planted with Syrah and Grenache grapes in 2018, with the first trial production in 2019.

HUS has had several impressive harvests and produced wonderful red and white wine that has gained recognition. At HUS, they adopt ecological viniculture practices and use minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

The wine-tasting experience at HUS is held in their tasting room, restaurant, or the terrace of the main house, situated above the production area and affording panoramic views over the vineyards and grounds. Sunset is the best time to visit HUS, where you can sample the wines with pairings from their restaurant’s modern, progressive menu. The site also holds regular events, some with guest chefs and pop-up menus.

Organise A Wine-Tasting Experience in Türkiye

Wine tasting in Türkiye and spending time at these fine wineries along the Aegean should impress anyone who appreciates wine and exquisite food.

Most of the wineries mentioned showcase the rich history and tradition of Turkish winemaking and the innovative spirit driving the Turkish wine revival. Pair these exceptional wines with the region’s beautiful cuisine, and you have a perfect blend for an afternoon or evening full of wine, dining, and flavour.

If you would like us to organise a wine tasting in Türkiye at any of the estates mentioned or supply a selection of fine Turkish wines to the yacht with your provisions, please CONTACT US.