Hear it through the grapevine

Discover one of the oldest viticulture destinations in the world. Take a closer look at goturkiye.com and vineyardsturkiye.com

coast in the north to the sun-kissed Aegean in the south and the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia in Central Anatolia, family-run vineyards produce crisp whites and full-bodied reds that have a rightful place alongside more familiar European wines. The best way to discover them is to follow one of the wine routes that link the vineyards. They allow you to combine visits and tastings with exploration of ancient sites and traditional villages. Whether it’s an afternoon excursion, a guided day trip or a week-long viticultural adventure, Turkish wine trails offer a glimpse of a different side to this intoxicating part of the world.

Map illustration: Janice Chang/Studio PI for News UK

Türkiye is one of the largest producers of grapes in the world

An easy one to reach, this wine route links six vineyards, scattered around the town of Urla, which lies halfway between the city of Izmir and the busy resort of Cesme. Each vineyard is signposted and all of them offer tastings – some with food pairings – as well as the chance to learn about the different grape varietals that grow on the Cesme Peninsula. The wine route also links up 20 old olive paths that are now tourist-friendly walking and cycling trails. Urla is also famous for its artichoke – try it at one of the high-end restaurants offering a fusion menu with traditional regional cuisine. Meanwhile, the chic town of Alacati – known for its restaurants and windsurfing – is just half an hour away, making it an ideal place to stay while exploring the peninsula.

The smallest of Türkiye’s wine routes, with just four ports of call, is the richest in history: the ancient cities of Metropolis and Ephesus are both within a short drive of the vineyards. The picturesque hill town of Sirince makes an excellent base, with wine shops and caves dotting the streets, and traditional Ottoman architecture creating an unspoilt, traditional atmosphere. For beach lovers, the bustling resort of Kusadasi is within easy reach of the vineyards, and escorted day trips or afternoon excursions are simple to arrange.

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Get to know Türkiye by tasting your way along a world-class wine trail. Here’s the pick of the bunch

Each vineyard is signposted and all offer tastings

urkish wine may be unfamiliar to many British visitors, but the country’s rich soil and reliable climate make it one of the largest producers of grapes in the world. From the Black Sea

Around izmir

The smallest of Türkiye’s wine routes is the richest in history

Vintage experience The ancient city of Ephesus is within easy reach of the vineyards

Scoff the beaten track Alacati – known for its restaurants – is an ideal place to stay while exploring

Wine and dine See a different side to this intoxicating part of the world

Path notes Get to know great Turkish wines by following one of the routes that link the vineyards

High flyers Cappadocia has rich volcanic soil that produces top-notch wines. It is also one of the best places in Europe for a hot-air balloon trip

Most famous for the “fairy chimneys” – unique rock formations that mushroom out of the ground – Cappadocia is home to a clutch of charming wineries, known for the white wine that’s made from local emir grapes. The rich volcanic soil produces a marvellous variety of wines while the soft rock geology of the region allows for cellars to be hollowed out. Wineries are dotted between the towns of Goreme, Urgup, Uchisar and Avanos – all within a short drive of each other and with excellent restaurants offering traditional Anatolian dishes to accompany the local wines. Vineyards here tend to be family run and more rustic than in other areas, but many offer the rare chance to sample wines in traditional cave houses, allowing a glimpse of the region’s rich history. As well as visiting vineyards, you can take advantage of a network of walking and cycling routes. Cappadocia is also one of the best places in Europe for a hot-air balloon trip, giving a unique perspective of the region’s extraordinary landscapes.

CAPPADOCIA

Weird and wine-derful Better known for cone-like rock formations, Cappadocia is home to a clutch of charming wineries

In Cappadocia, you can sample wine in a traditional cave house

Grape-est hits Family-run vineyards in Thrace, below, produce crisp whites and full-bodied reds that are up there with more familiar European wines

The country’s northernmost province and heart of the Turkish wine industry has four wine trails, running from the north Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and down to the Gelibolu peninsula (more familiar to western visitors as Gallipoli). The most accessible, at just 90 minutes from Istanbul, is the Tekirdag route, which runs along the Sea of Marmara from the coastal city of Tekirdag – known for Ottoman architecture and lively bazaars – to the beach town of Sarkoy. More than 25 villages are home to organic wineries and boutique vineyards, dotted between fields of golden sunflowers and sleepy seaside resorts. Some of Türkiye’s best known wines are produced here. Many of the vineyards have restaurants and rooms available for overnight stays. Further south, the islands of Bozcaada and Gokceada form part of the Gelibolu trail, set around the Dardanelles Strait. Here the sea breezes coming in from three sides help create delicious wines, including Bordeaux and Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends, with biodynamic and organic wineries offering tastings and tours. Between vineyard visits, you could take an easy drive to the site of ancient Troy. And Gelibolu Peninsula Historical National Park – created in memory of those who fought and died there in the First World War – is a wonderfully tranquil place to visit.

Thrace

CAPPADOCIA

Around izmir

Discover one of the oldest viticulture destinations in the world. Take a closer look at goturkiye.com and vineyardsturkiye.com