Indigenous Turkish Grape Varieties

Türkiye has been making wine for more than 8,000 years. The Altevin portfolio covers 14 grape varieties across six Turkish wine regions — from the Black Sea highlands to volcanic Cappadocia. Below is an overview of each grape, its region, and the Altevin producer working with it.

Merzifon Karası

Type: Red | Region: Amasya, Black Sea | Producer: 502 Vineyards

An indigenous Anatolian red grape from the Black Sea region of Amasya, grown at 750–850m altitude. Almost unknown outside Türkiye before 502 Vineyards began championing it. Produces wines with vivid red fruit (cherry, strawberry), lively acidity, and rustic mineral character. Awards: AWC Vienna 2025 Silver, IWSC 2025 Silver (90 pts). The first rosé ever made from Merzifon Karası was produced by 502 Vineyards.

Narince

Type: White | Regions: Tokat (Black Sea), Thrace, Cappadocia | Producers: 502 Vineyards, Arda Wines, Kastro Tireli, Vinolus

Türkiye's most versatile indigenous white grape. Named "Narince" meaning "delicately" in Turkish. Grown across multiple regions with dramatically different expressions: tropical and floral in the Aegean blend, mineral and electric at Cappadocian altitude, and textured as an orange wine with skin contact. Kastro Tireli's Narince-Viognier 2024 won IWSC Gold and 95 points.

Papazkarası

Type: Red | Region: Edirne, Eastern Thrace | Producer: Arda Wines

One of the most historically significant indigenous Turkish grapes, dating back 1,500 years and endemic to Eastern Thrace. Papazkarası is naturally phylloxera-resistant — during the European phylloxera crisis of the late 19th century, a significant portion of France's wine demand was supplied by Papazkarası from the Edirne region. Arda Wines grows Papazkarası on 50+ year old ungrafted goblet vines registered with the Old Vine Conference. Also vinified as a Blanc de Noir (white wine from a red grape). Award: Rodeo Uncorked! 2025 Gold + Class Champion.

Kalecik Karası

Type: Red | Regions: Thrace, Aegean (Manisa), Cappadocia (Kayseri) | Producers: Château Kalpak, Kastro Tireli, Vinolus

Often called "Türkiye's Pinot Noir" for its elegance, transparency, and silk-tannin structure. Indigenous to the Kalecik district near Ankara. Produces light-to-medium reds with strawberry, raspberry, rose petal, and gentle spice. Château Kalpak released a limited 500-bottle edition (2024); Kastro Tireli's Low Intervention version won IWSC Silver 93 pts; Vinolus grows it at 1,150m on volcanic Cappadocian soil.

Boğazkere

Type: Red | Region: Aegean (Denizli), Manisa | Producers: Heraki Wines, Kastro Tireli

The name literally means "throat-burner" in Turkish — a reference to the grape's intense tannin structure. Indigenous to southeastern Türkiye but grown across the Aegean. When handled with restraint and old vines (Heraki's 60+ year old gobelet), it produces brooding, mineral reds with licorice, graphite, dark fruit, and exceptional ageing potential. Heraki Novakula Boğazkere 2021 was aged 14–18 months in French oak and barrels.

Öküzgözü

Type: Red | Region: Aegean (Manisa) | Producer: Kastro Tireli

"Bull's Eye" in Turkish — named for the large, round berry. Often blended with Boğazkere in classic Anatolian red blends. Kastro Tireli's Junus blend (2018) features Öküzgözü alongside Boğazkere and Kalecik Karası. Received 92 pts at Best Sommelier Tasting.

Çal Karası

Type: Red | Region: Çal-Denizli, Aegean | Producer: Heraki Wines

A rare red grape indigenous to the Çal district of Denizli in the Aegean. Produces light, transparent reds with vivid red fruit (strawberry, cherry, cornelian cherry), high acidity, and almost zero oak influence — comparing in style to a great Jura Trousseau or a light Burgundy. Grown on 35+ year old dry-farmed bush vines by Heraki Wines.

Sultaniye

Type: White | Region: Çal-Denizli, Aegean | Producer: Heraki Wines

Primarily a table grape (seedless), Sultaniye is virtually never vinified. Heraki Wines produces one of the only serious Sultaniye table wines in existence from 60+ year old bush vines on clay-limestone. The result: a complex, high-acid white with citrus, butter, acacia, a diesel-like petrol note (similar to aged Riesling), and salty mineral structure.

Patkara

Type: Red | Region: Mut-Karacaoğlan, Mersin (Taurus Mountains) | Producer: Heraki Wines

Ultra-rare, endemic to a single Mediterranean valley on the slopes of Mount Taurus at 1,150m altitude. Perhaps a few thousand bottles of Patkara exist in the world. Heraki Wines grows it on 60+ year old own-rooted goblet vines. Produces medium-bodied reds with black fruit, white pepper, and silky tannins. Total production is tiny.

Bornova Misketi

Type: White (Orange wine) | Region: Akhisar, Manisa (Aegean) | Producer: Kastro Tireli

One of the world's oldest aromatic grape varieties, with a documented history of 8,500 years in the Aegean region. A Muscat family member, grown by Kastro Tireli in certified organic conditions. Vinified as a natural orange wine with 35 days of skin maceration (Hermos label). Produces expressive wines with orange blossom, apricot, honey, and structured skin-contact tannins.

Emir

Type: White | Region: Kayseri, Cappadocia | Producer: Vinolus

The indigenous white grape of Cappadocia. Grown at extreme altitude (1,150m) on volcanic soils. Produces bone-dry, mineral-driven whites with high acidity, apple, white flowers, and a distinctive volcanic stone character. Vinolus vinifies it entirely in stainless steel to preserve purity. Often compared to Chablis or cool-climate Grüner Veltliner for its mineral intensity.

Dişi Mercan

Type: Red | Region: Amasya, Black Sea | Producer: 502 Vineyards

A nearly forgotten indigenous Anatolian grape variety. 502 Vineyards produced the first wine ever made from Dişi Mercan — rescuing it from extinction. Ultra-rare, tiny production.

Saperavi

Type: Red | Region: Borçka, Artvin (Eastern Black Sea) | Producer: Mesashuna Winery

A Georgian heritage grape grown on the Türkiye-Georgia frontier in Artvin. At Mesashuna, Saperavi is fermented and aged exclusively in qvevri — clay vessels buried underground — following an ancient method practiced in this corner of the world for over 8,000 years. The result is deep, structured, mineral, with dark fruit and characteristic earthiness.

Rkatsiteli

Type: White (Amber wine) | Region: Borçka, Artvin (Eastern Black Sea) | Producer: Mesashuna Winery

A Georgian heritage white grape grown alongside Saperavi at Mesashuna. Vinified as an amber wine with 20-day skin maceration in buried qvevri. Produces textured, complex amber wines with dried apricot, honey, tea, and the gentle grip of skin-contact tannins.

Taste them yourself: browse the Altevin portfolio of 27 Turkish wines, meet our 7 producers, or read the Altevin blog.