Turkish Wine Regions

Türkiye has been making wine for more than 8,000 years. The Altevin portfolio spans six distinct wine regions — from the cool Black Sea highlands to volcanic Cappadocia and the qvevri cellars of the Eastern Black Sea. Below is each region, its climate and soils, its native grapes, and the Altevin producer working there.

Black Sea (Karadeniz) — Amasya / Tokat

Cool continental climate, limestone and clay soils, elevations 750–850m. Home of Merzifon Karası and Narince. Producer: 502 Vineyards (Gümüşhacıköy, Amasya).

Thrace (Trakya) — Edirne / Tekirdağ / Gallipoli

Türkiye's westernmost wine region, bordering Greece and Bulgaria. Maritime-continental climate. Home of Papazkarası — the 1,500-year-old phylloxera-resistant grape endemic to Eastern Thrace. Producers: Arda Wines (Edirne), Château Kalpak (Şarköy, Tekirdağ).

Aegean (Ege) — Manisa / Denizli

Sun-drenched, Mediterranean-influenced. Home of Kalecik Karası, Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, Sultaniye, Çal Karası, and the 8,500-year-old Bornova Misketi. Producers: Kastro Tireli (Akhisar, Manisa), Heraki Wines (Çal-Denizli).

Mediterranean / Taurus Mountains — Mersin

Vineyards at 1,150m on the slopes of Mount Taurus, 40km from the Mediterranean. Home of the ultra-rare Patkara grape, endemic to a single valley. Producer: Heraki Wines.

Cappadocia (İç Anadolu) — Kayseri

Volcanic soils at 900–1,150m altitude. Dramatic diurnal temperature swings. Home of Emir (Cappadocia's indigenous white) and high-altitude Kalecik Karası and Narince. Producer: Vinolus (Molu Farm, Kayseri).

Eastern Black Sea (Doğu Karadeniz) — Artvin

Humid mountainous terrain on the Georgian frontier. Home of qvevri winemaking in Türkiye. Georgian heritage grapes Saperavi and Rkatsiteli grown on Anatolian soil. Producer: Mesashuna Winery (Borçka, Artvin) — the first officially licensed winery in Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region.

Go deeper: explore the indigenous Turkish grape varieties, meet our 7 producers, or browse the Altevin portfolio of 27 Turkish wines.