Turkey has between 400-500,000 hectares under vine making it the 5th largest vineyard area globally, however, only 3-5% of production is made into wine, with the majority being used for table grapes, dried into raisins, or distilled into Raki. It is estimated that Turkey has around 600-1,200 indigenous grape varieties, however, fewer than 60 are now grown commercially.
During our trip in Turkey we managed to taste a range of local wines including a number from Yedi Bilgeler (Seven Sages), this is a family owned boutique vineyard located near the ruins of Ephesus.
7Bilgeler, Vindemia Defne, 2023, Dry White Wine: This elegant wine with crisp acidity that is well balanced with a creamy mouthfeel is made from 100% white Emir grapes.
Anaxagoras, Dry White Wine 2025: This unoaked Turkish Chardonnay was also made by Yedi Bilgeler. They also make an oaked Chardonnay in their Anaxagoras Reserve.
Vindemia Toprak, 2022: This red wine is made from 100% Okuzgozu grapes that have been sourced from high altitude (up to 1400m), ungrafted, 80 year old vines.
During our trip we also tasted the Vinolus, Narince, 2023: Made from 100% Narince grapes grown at high altitude in volcanic soils at Central Anatolia . The Vinolus Narince is a full-bodied, mineral driven style.
