Turkey's most promising areas for wine tourism

Turkey is well known as a popular tourist attraction. Each year many tourists come to Turkey to visit the spectacular archaeological ruins. Given that Turkey is now under going a rebirth in its wine industry then a natural next step is the development of enotourism. Enotourism or wine tourism is seen as an area of tourism with great potential for growth, not only in Turkey, but throughout the world. After exploring Turkey's wine regions Spaswinefood's top picks for enotourism are:

1) Thrace,

2) Izmir and

3) Cappadocia.

Recent articles, such as Business Week article by Elin McCoy,  a New York Times article by Andrew Finkel and the  Gray Report, all attendees at the  EWBC Digital Communications Conference 2012 in Izmir, Turkey, note the growing enthusiasm for wine making in Turkey (see also this CNN video). All three authors however, acknowledge the unique challenges that the Turkish wine industry faces. We experienced this same enthusiasm, not only at the conference, but first hand as we traveled throughout the country. With such great enthusiasm challenges can be overcome.

Gali Winery Vineyard, Thrace © Spaswinefood

Turkey's great wine history

Turkey is considered to be one of the original source of wines in the world.  DNA analyses show that all European grape varieties have their origin in Turkey, Georgia or Armenia. While in Turkey I tasted not only great wines derived from the popular international grapes but from indigenous Turkish grapes, such as Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, Kalecik Karasi and Narince. I am totally convinced that with world wide exposure Turkish wines will become popular. Both Turkey's rich wine history and the diversity of indigenous grape varieties makes Turkey a must visit for wine lovers. 

Gali Winery Vineyard, Thrace © Spaswinefood

Thrace

In Thrace we visited both new and established boutique wineries and a larger well established winery (Gali, Suvla, Gülor and Doluca). During our Thrace visit we were impressed by the charm of Gali and Suvla, their immediate connection to a natural environment and being located on the Historic Gallipoli Peninsula make them very appealing. Also the closeness of the Thrace wineries to Istanbul makes them an easily integrated option into the busy travel industry in the area.

Nilgün and Hakan Kavar, owners of Gali Winery © Spaswinefood

Gali Winery, Thrace © Spaswinefood

Suvla Winery

Suvla Winery is located in Eceabat on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The vineyard was established in 2003 and the winery in 2009. By 2012 the winery was producing 19 labels of whites, roses and reds. 

Suvla Winery tasting room © Spaswinefood

Suvla Winery Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Gülor Winery

Gülor Winery founded in 1993, is owned by Guler Sabanci, third-generation female member of the well known Sabanci family. According to Wines of Turkey it was the first boutique wine producer. Gülor has also been credited with introducing international grapes into the country.

Gülor Winery © Spaswinefood

Doluca Winery

Doluca Winery is a third generation winery, established in 1926 by Nihat A. Kutman. Doluca has been described as one of the wineries that set the standards for Turkish wine. Doluca was one of the most common wine displays that we saw during our travels throughout Turkey. This is not surprising given Doluca produces over 40 products, with a 14 million bottle annual capacity.

Doluca Winery © Spaswinefood

Other Thrace wineries at the Izmir conference included Arcadia Vineryards and Chamlija Winery. Arcadia is located in the mountainous region of Northern Thrace. My understanding is that Arcadia is developing a boutique hotel. Chamlija Winery was also at the conference and participated in both #EWBC Welcome Dinners in Istanbul.

Arcadia's winemaker greets wine blogger © Spaswinefood

Chamlija Viognier 2011 © Spaswinefood

Thrace wineries close proximity to Istanbul makes them perfect for enotourism. Also, with historic Gallipoli and the archaeological site Troy nearby most travelers would love some wine time built into these excursions.

Archaeological ruins at Troy© Spaswinefood

Australian and New Zealand Cemetery at Gallipoli © Spaswinefood

Turkish Cementery at Gallipoli © Spaswinefood

Izmir 

Spaswinefood visited three young Urla wineries (Urlice Winery, Mozaik Winery and Urla Winery). Urla in Izmir Province is about an hour's drive from Izmir, Turkey's third largest city. Urla, a picturesque seaside town with wineries nearby is a perfect area for wine lovers to explore.

Urlice Winery

Urlice Winery wines are estate grown and sustainably farmed on a four-hectare estate. Bile Bengisu Öğünlü and Reha Öğünlü bought the property in 2004 and released their first vintage in 2008.

Bile Bengisu Öğünlü and Reha Öğünlü, owners of Urlice Winery © Spaswinefood

The owners are also involved in the Slow Food movement, which nicely compliments their winery efforts. The setting at Urlice Winery is absolutely relaxing. 

Urlice Winery Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Mozaik Winery

Our next stop was at Mozaik Winery where we meet the owners and tasted some promising young wines. The family owned winery uses organically grown grapes. The 14-hectare vineyard was planted in 2008, with its first vintage in 2010.

 Mozaik Winery's enthusiastic wife and husband team © Spaswinefood

Mozaik Winery produces only red wines, which is made from grapes grown on vines imported from Italy and France. The winery also uses an Italian agronomist and oenologist in the production of their wines. 

Mozaik Winery © Spaswinefood

Urla Winery

It was late afternoon when we arrived at Urla Winery. We were met by one of the winery owners, Can Ortalaş and the winery staff. Urla Winery's vineyards of 40 hectares are biodynamically farmed. A part of the vineyards includes an ancient terrace where evidence of early wine production was found.

Urla Winery© Spaswinefood

The good news is that if you want to be pampered you might consider staying at Urla Wines boutique hotel. Urla Winery is a fascinating property to visit and could be used as a base to explore wine country. The winery is next to a natural reserve. The property also includes a plant nursery and arboretum. Urla winery is an exciting place to visit, with over 7000 visitors in 2012.

During EWBC Mystery dinners wine bloggers also visited a number of Izmir wineries, such as Selendi Winery.

Selendi Winery was the setting for a Mystery Dinner © Spaswinefood

There are many wineries in the Izmir wine region that I did not visit. Also,with Ephesus archaeological ruins nearby some time in Izmir wine country would be ideal for most travelers.

Reconstruction of the great theatre at Effesus © Spaswinefood

Cappadocia

Spaswinefood did not visit the Cappadocia region as part of EWBC activities. There was an EWBC group that did (see Wendy Crispell's article). During our travels through Turkey however we spent three days in Cappadocia. This area is stunning and very popular on the tourist circuit. It could easily offer wine tourism given there are wineries in the area. There are also ruins showing evidence of early wine production, such as at Kaymakli Underground City, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Historical winery at Kaymakli Undergound City © Spaswinefood

The Cappadocia area would be great for #winelover excursions if attention is paid to details. One such example, was the spectacular hot air ballooning experience I had with sparkling wine at the end. Unfortunately for me the wine was mixed with cherry juice. I drank it only because the balloon trip was awesome. 

Champagne and juice after ballooning in Cappadocia © Spaswinefood

Spas-wine-food travel packages to the Cappadocia area would be great. Cappadocia's Pamukkale hot springs offers both an opportunity to visit Hierapolis archaeological ruins and to have a spa experience. We also found that local wine was offered, as part of the welcome drink options, when we visited jewelry and pottery shops in places, like Cappadocia. While it was nice to see wine being offered an enotourist might like a wine upgrade. That is easily doable with so many wonderful Turkish wines.

Hierapoli archaeological ruins © Spaswinefood

 Olive oil making evidence at Hierapoli archaeological ruins © Spaswinefood

Hotsprings at Pamukkale, Turkey © Spaswinefood

After spending a month exploring Turkey's wine regions Spaswinefood would recommend that you explore the wines being produced by Turkey's wineries. We discovered our favorites and I know that you will too. Wine has a long history in Turkey, which makes it just perfect for enotourism. At the various ruins we visited throughout Turkey we also saw lots of evidence of this exciting wine history.  Turkey has great wines to go along with this history (check out the Turkey's wines in this #EWBC video). You will find more on my travels in Turkey and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

November 2012

Istanbul, Turkey

© Spaswinefood

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