Turkish Wine Regions: A Complete Guide

Six regions. Eight thousand years. Over 1,200 indigenous varieties. The world's least discovered wine country.

From Thrace on the Greek border to the Eastern Black Sea on the Georgian frontier — Türkiye's wine regions span six distinct climates and produce grapes found nowhere else in the world. Here's the map.

Category: region · 8 min read · Published 2026-06-28 · Altevin Blog

• Türkiye has over 1,200 documented indigenous grape varieties — more than almost any other nation
• Wine has been produced in Anatolia for over 8,000 years
• Six distinct wine regions from sea-level Mediterranean to 1,150m volcanic plateau
• From Thrace (Greek border) to Eastern Black Sea (Georgian frontier)
• Cappadocia, Aegean, Black Sea, and Eastern Anatolia each have their own indigenous variety identity
• Most commercial Turkish wine production is centered in Thrace

Why Türkiye's wine regions matter

Türkiye is one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world — archaeological evidence places wine production in Anatolia over 8,000 years ago. The country has more indigenous grape varieties than almost any other nation: over 1,200 documented varieties, of which only a fraction are commercially cultivated. The six main wine-producing regions span dramatically different climates, soils, and altitudes — from sea-level Mediterranean vineyards to 1,150m volcanic Cappadocian plateau.

Thrace (Trakya)

Thrace is Türkiye's westernmost wine region and produces the majority of commercially available Turkish wine. The region borders Greece and Bulgaria, and its continental climate with maritime influence (from both the Aegean and the Marmara) is ideal for both indigenous and international varieties. Key producers in the Altevin portfolio: Arda Wines (Edirne, Papazkarası) and Château Kalpak (Şarköy, Tekirdağ — the Gallipoli Peninsula).

Aegean (Ege)

The Aegean is sun-drenched, Mediterranean-influenced, and home to the greatest diversity of indigenous grape varieties in the Altevin portfolio. Kastro Tireli (Akhisar, Manisa) grows Narince, Kalecik Karası, Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, and the 8,500-year-old Bornova Misketi on 250 certified organic hectares. Heraki Wines (Çal-Denizli) works with Sultaniye, Çal Karası, Boğazkere and Patkara on old bush vines at 800–1,150m.

Black Sea and Cappadocia

The Black Sea highlands of Amasya and Tokat (750–850m altitude) are home to Merzifon Karası and Narince — the grapes that 502 Vineyards has brought to international attention. Cappadocia's volcanic plateau (900–1,150m, Kayseri) is Vinolus territory: Emir, Narince, and Kalecik Karası grown on mineral-rich volcanic soil with dramatic diurnal swings. And in the Eastern Black Sea (Artvin, Borçka), on the Georgian frontier, Mesashuna makes qvevri wines from Saperavi and Rkatsiteli — the first licensed winery in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many wine regions does Türkiye have?

Six main regions: Thrace, Aegean, Black Sea, Cappadocia, Eastern Anatolia, and Southeastern Anatolia. Each has a distinct climate, altitude, and indigenous variety identity.

Which is the most famous Turkish wine region?

Thrace produces the most commercial volume and has the highest concentration of established producers. But Cappadocia and the Aegean are increasingly recognised for quality-driven wines.

Does Türkiye have indigenous grape varieties?

Yes — over 1,200 documented varieties. Only a fraction are commercially cultivated, but that still gives Türkiye one of the most diverse indigenous variety collections of any wine country in the world.

What is the oldest wine-producing region in Türkiye?

Anatolia as a whole — archaeological evidence places winemaking in the region over 8,000 years ago. Eastern Thrace and the Aegean both have documented viticulture stretching back more than two millennia.