Wine & Gourmet Tours


Cappadocia, Turkey

Transbalkan provides personalised itinerary planning and bookings designed exclusively for wine & gourmet tours in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Discover Turkey's fine wines, history, scenic beauty, and delicious local cuisine. Wine and dine in places of charm and sleep in elegant small hotels. Experience the warmth and hospitality of Turkey, the splendor of the breathtaking natural scenery, and unmatched personal service and attention to detail.

Your wine tour will be crafted with the same care and attention to detail as the fine wines and dining you will experience with us.

If you would like Transbalkan to sweep you away on an unforgettable wine & gourmet tour, contact us today for your personalized quote: travel@transbalkan.net

LOCAL WINEGRAPE TYPES IN TURKEY | WINE REGIONS OF TURKEY | WINE PRODUCERS OF TURKEY
VITICULTURE IN TURKEY WITH FIGURES | HISTORY OF WINE IN TURKEY | TURKISH CHEESES | TURKISH CUISINE


Suggested Wine & Gourmet sample itineraries are as follows:

 
PROGRAM 1 : TURASAN WINES ( FULL DAY TOURS)

The purpose of this daily excursion is to make an introduction into the history of a region known as one of the oldest for grape and wine production for 4000 years. In this specific tour we discover the portrait of the oldest and the biggest wine producer in Cappadocia by visiting its wineyards, the cellar, and historical sites of the region. All this we do by tasting 7 different wines of the region.
 
We first direct towards little known part of the region to Yeşiloz village to see the church of St. Theodore known with the biggest description of Jesus Christ in Cappadocia. We then cross the Mount Topuz to arrive to Turasan Vineyards located at the foot of Argeus Mountain, in Yavaş area. We make a tasting on the vineyards where Kalecik Karası, Emir and Narince Vines are grown.
The lunch is taken in the old greek village of Sinassos with Turasan wines
 
Wines at lunch:
Turasan Emir (white wine)
Turasan Narince (white wine)
Turasan Kalecik Karası (red wine)
 
In the afternoon we visit the village of Sinassos with beautiful old houses, the beautiful entrance of the church Constantine and St. Helen, and the church of St Basil.
We then proceed to Turasan winery where all tasted wines are produced. We visit the production center and get detailed information on the process of production.
Wines to taste at the winery
Turasan Okuzgozu (Varietal red wine with Okuzgozu grape) Turasan Bogazkere (Varietal red wine with Bogazkere grape)
Turasan Seneler (red) (Blend red wine with okuzgozu and bogazkere aged 6 years)
Our day ends at Zeynep vineyards created in 2001 with a final wine tasting
Last wines:

Turasan Roze (Rose wine with okuzgozu grape)
Turasan Seneler (white) (blend wine with emir and narince grapes)
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
INCLUSIONS:
TOUR DATES :
This tour is realized every day from the beginning of april until the end of October with the participation of minimum 2 persons.

 
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WINES OF BEYOND RED RIVER- KOCABAG AND GESTIN WINES

in this tour we discover wines produced by Kocabag and Gestin Wineries starting with a pleasant walking in Red Valley, we visit the Church with Grapes carved in a fairy
We will taste 7 different wines produced by local chimney, we discover the village of Çavuşin. By following the bed of the river we go to visit the Church of St. John the Baptist and The Monastery of Acıksaray.

Our day starts with a very pleasant walking in Kızılçukur, through old traditional vineyards. This trekking will help us enjoy the amazing natural landscape of Cappadocia and very beautifully decorated rock-carved dovecotes of the region.
On our way we will also visit the Church with Grapes which gives us a very good idea about the history of wine in Cappadocia. Our walking will end in one of the untouched villages: Çavuşin. We discover the village and have lunch on a vineyard or in a typical restaurant.
 
The wines at lunch:
Doluca Nevşah (white wine with emir grape)
Kocabag Bogazkere (red wine with bogazkere grape)
Kocabağ Kalecik karası (red wine with kalecik karası grapes)

In the afternoon we follow the banks of Red River (Kızılırmak) and we stop for a tasting at recently constructed Gestin Winery. We taste their wines:
House wine made with Emir grape aged in oak barrels.
Kocabag Misli red
Chateau Kalecik with Kalecik karası grape
We then go to Uchisar ares to visit old wine cellar of Kocabag winery carved in volcanic tufa. Our final tasting takes place in a wine cellar in Uchisar
Wines to taste:
Kocabağ Narince (white wine with narince grape)
Kocabağ Okuzgozu (red wine with okuzgozu grape)
Kavaklıdere Altınkopuk ( white sparkling wine with emir grape)
 
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For details about the guide and vitiviniculture in Cappadocia visit www.vinotolia.com
TOUR PRICE : 120 EUROS

INCLUSIONS:
Full day tour with gastronomic lunch. Tasting of all mentioned wines.

TOUR DATES :
This tour is realized every day from the beginning of april until the end of October with the participation of minimum 2 persons.
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WINE AND HISTORY IN CAPPADOCIA - 4 DAYS

In this tour we discover the oldest still existing wine region of the world. It is Cappadocia where wine production started nearly 4ooo years ago. We make a deep introduction into the history of the region through its wines and its flavors. We taste forgotten meals prepared according the old recipes of Cappadocia and with more than 20 wines we taste we smell Cappadocia and whole Anatolia. We visit Gorenme open air museum, Derinkuyu underground city, we hike in Kızılçukur and some other little known sites of Cappadocia.We also g oto Hattusas, the capital of Hittite Kingdom also recognized the world heritage by Unesco.
 
DAY 1 : TURASAN WINES
In the morning we start with a pleasant walking in Pancarlık Valley where we discover the natural color show of Cappadocia. We visit little known beautiful church of Pancarlık.
We then direct towards little known part of the region to Yeşiloz village to see the church of St. Theodore famous with the biggest description of Jesus Christ in Cappadocia. We then cross the Mount Topuz to arrive to Turasan Vineyards located at the foot of Argeus Mountain. We make a tasting on the vineyards where Kalecik Karası, Emir and Narince vines.
The lunch is taken in the old greek village of Sinassos with Turasan wines
 
Wines at lunch:
Turasan Emir (white wine)
Turasan Narince (white wine)
Turasan Kalecik Karası (red wine)
 
In the afternoon we visit the village of Sinassos with beautiful old houses, the beautiful entrance of the church Constantine and St. Helen, and the church of St Basil.
We then proceed to Turasan winery where all tasted wines are produced. We visit the production center and get detailed information on the process of production.
We attend to the seminar ‘History of Wine in Turkey’.

Dinner takes place in a local restaurant.
Wines at dinner:
Turasan Seneler white (Blend of Narince Emir grapes)
Turasan Bogazkere
Turasan Seneler red (Blend of Okuzgozu and Bogazkere grapes)
 
DAY 2 : KOCABAG WINES
Our day starts with a very pleasant walking through the fairy chimneys in Love Valley. We then proceed to Göreme open air museum once inhabited by Christians who escaped from the roman persecution by carving the rock dwellings and churches such as Church with Apple, St. Barbara Church, Church with snake and especially Tokalı Church.
The lunch takes place in a local restaurant or on a vineyard with home made food of Cappadocia.
Wines at lunch :
Kocabağ Kapadokya white
Kocabağ Kapadokya red
In the afternoon w ego to the South of Cappadocia to visit the largest underground city in the region, Derinkuyu. This underground dwelling was carved until the depth of 75 meters on 12 underground levels. We also take a look at the Church with grapes with perhaps the mos beautiful reliefs of grapes on the surface.
We then go to Uchisar to Kocabağ winery to taste some of their wines.
Diner is served in our cave/boutique hotel
Wines at diner:
Kocabağ Narince (white)
Kocabağ Okuzgozu (red)
Kocabağ Boğazkere (red)

DAY 3 : RED VALLEY – ZELVE –GESTIN WINES
We depart in the morning to go to discover ‘ Kızılçukur’ ( red valley ) which is a beautiful valley with its vineyards and rock churches, especially ‘the church with grapes’ .Kızılçukur is nearly 6km long valley which extends from Ortahisar area to Çavuşin village. It takes its name from the color of its rocks. On our way to Çavuşin we walk through the small vineyards of Cappadocia where local grapes like Dimrit, Kara üzüm, Razakı are grown. Almost in the middle of the valley we can also visit one of the most beautiful but little known rock churches of Cappadocia : “ The church with columns” .Our walking ends at Çavuşin village where we deserve a short stop.
The lunch will be served in Çavuşin or in Zelve area.
Wines at lunch:
Doluca Nevşah (white wine)
Kocabağ kalecik karası (red wine)
In the afternoon we first go to Paşabağ to see the fairy chimneys surrounded by vineyards then we visit Zelve open air museum.
At the end of the day we cross Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river of Turkey which created the favorable climate for viticulture and we arrive at Avanos known as the oldest center of pottery art in Anatolia.
We proceed to Gestin Winery recently founded in Avanos. We visit vineyards and we taste wines like
Chateau Kalecik – kalecik karası
Gestin - Emir

Wines at dinner:
Kayra Buğu (white wine with emir grape)
Buzbağ rezerv (red wine with okuzgozu and bogazkere grapes)
Terra Bogazkere (red wine with bogazkere grapes)
Kayra Cameo d’Oro (sparkling wine with sultaniye grapes)

DAY 4: WINES OF HITTITES – HATTUSAS
We make a full day trip to Hattusas, the capital of Hittite Kingdom. We depart early in the morning and we travel to Hattusas through Boğazlıyan and Yozgat. (About 3 hours).
We visit the remains of Hattusa, the capital of Hittite Kingdom which ruled in Anatolia between 1650 and 1200 B.C. The fortification walls, the gates, the temples… We then continue to Yazılıkaya, the oldest open air temple of the world where we see the reliefs of Hittite gods.
The lunch is taken in a typical restaurant which is located near the ruins.
We then go to see Alacahöyük, the settlement of Bronze Age nearly 5000 years ago where during the excavations beautiful items have been discovered and are exhibited today in the museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.
The lunch is taken in a restaurant near the site.
Wines at lunch are those produced by Diren Company of Tokat
Diren Dörtnal Selection (White wine with narince grape)
Diren Lokal (Rose’ wine)
Diren Karmen Selection (Red wine with the blend of Okuzgozu and Boğazkere grapes)
We turn back to Cappadocia through Çiçekdaği and Yerkoy.
Dinner is accompanied with Kavaklıdere wines.
Vinart Narince-Chardonnnay (White wine with narince and chardonnay grapes)
Vinart Kalecik karası-Syrah (Red wine with Kalecik karası and Syrah grapes)
Vinart Carignan-alicante (Red wine with Carignan and Alicante grapes)

According to the schedule demonstration of pottery making and lecture on Turkish hand made rugs will be part of our activity. These two arts have a history of more than 400 years in Cappadocia.
 
IMPORTANT NOTICE
SERVICES INCLUDED :
Cultural and oenological guiding service will be provided by Murat Yankı who is also a wine history researcher.
For details about the guide and vitiviniculture in Cappadocia and in Turkey, visit www.vinotolia.com
 
Hotel accomodation is not included in our rates. For accomodation possibilities contact us.
 
TOUR PRICE
4 nights/4 days per person in double room
Single supplement (4 nights) : 140 euros
Additional night (diner included)

Airport transfer service is not included in prices.

TOUR DATES :
6 – 10 April 2008
15 – 20 June 2008
27 – 31 July 2008
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WINE AND HISTORY IN ISTANBUL (5 FULL DAYS)

 
The scope of this tour is to make a deep introduction in the history of Istanbul through wine and other tastes. We divide the two first days into Byzantine and Ottoman themes and besides discovering the historical trasures of both civilizations we take lunch and dinner in restaurant specialized for their cuisines. Among the wines to taste we have those with papazkarası grape produced in Byzantine monasteries once upon a time, moskhatos mentioned by Herodotes, wines of Troy mentioned by Homeros in İliad and Odyssee as well as wines produced with the wine grapes of Mesopotamia, Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
All this we will do with 4 gourmet lunches, 3 gourmet dinners and 22 different specially selected local wines
 
DAY 1 :
Arrival and check in the hotel
 
DAY 2: BYZANTINE DAY IN ISTANBUL
Our day starts with the discovery of Byzantine monuments of Istanbul . The Church of
Pammacharistos (Fethiye Camii), The Acquaducts of Valens, Saint Sophia and The
Underground Cistern are among the Byzantine sites that we discover. The lunch will take
place in a local restaurant where we will taste some Byzantine specialties.
The menu will be based on byzantine recipes like Tarhana (Traganos) soup, lamb cooked with
spices as main and Tavuk Gögsü ( breast of chicken as dessert).
Wines at lunch will be those made with the grapes also known in byzantine times.
Kavaklıdere Muscat (Dry white wine with moskhatos/misket grape)
Buyulubag Adakarası-C.Sauvignon (Dry red wine with Adakarası grape)
 
In the afternoon our Byzantine exploration of the city will continue with the Church of Saint
Saviour in Chora which is also considered as one of the jewels of Byzantine art and
architecture of the late period. We will then proceed to fortification walls of cConstantinople
built in 5th century by Theodosius the 2nd.
 
We attend to a seminar on ‘Byzantine History of Wine’
 
Dinner will take place in an old byzantine cistern and will be composed of Byzantine
specialties.
Wines at dinner:
Kavaklıdere Sauvignon Blanc- Sultaniye ( Dry white wine with blend of French and Turkish grapes
Cankara Misket-Sultaniye (Dry white wine with Misket and Sultaniye grapes)
Melen Papazkarası ( Dry red wine with papazkarası grape)
Wines to taste are those produced with the byzantine grapes still cultivated today like
moskhatos (misket) and papazkarası.
 
DAY 3 : OTTOMAN DAY
 
Full day reserved to Ottoman monuments of Istanbul. We will discover the buildings of the
classical period, not only the mosques but also bazaars. We will start with the Blue Mosque
and The Topkapı Palace where ottoman sultans resided 350 years. After visiting the
mosque of Suleymaniye we will take lunch in a local restaurant with typically ottoman
menu.
Wines at lunch :
Cankara Misket ( Dry white wine )
Karasalkım Papazkarası ( Dry red wine with papaskarası grape)
Doluca Moskado (Semi dry white wine with misket grape)
 
In the afternoon we will stroll in Eminonu area. We will see the Rustempaşa Mosque, taste
Turkish Coffee in a typical shop located at the position of the first coffee-shop established in
Istanbul. We will go to taste Pastirma at Namli, we will visit the Egyptian Bazaar and walk in
the streets of Tahtakale, the center of the business activity both in old and present times.
Dinner will be served in a restaurant known for the traditional dishes.During the dinner we
will listen to turkish classical music which takes its roots from byzantine times and continued
to be the court music during Ottoman Empire. Overnight in Istanbul.
At dinner we will taste wines which come from Tenedos Island on North Aegean mentioned
also by Homeros in Illiad on Troy.
Wines at dinner :
Corvus Tenea (Dry white wine produced with Vasilaki grape)
Corvus Aegea (Dry red wine produced with Kuntra grape )
Corvus Vinium (Dry red wine produced with Karalahna grape)
 
DAY 4 : LAND OF WINE – TEKIRDAG AND SARKOY
We leave Istanbul in the direction of Tekirdağ and Sarkoy for a wine trip in Thrace. (200 KM) This region is considered as the capital of wine making in Turkey with almost 40 % of national production. We make a short stop in Tekirdağ where we visit the small but beautiful archaeological museum. We then continue to Hosköy known as Ganos in ancient times which was also one of leading wine production areas in byzantine period. There we visit one of best ‘boutique wine producers’, Melen winery. We taste wines such as Melen Gamay, Melen Gewütztraminer, Melen Shiraz.
Lunch is served in alocal restaurant with sea food of Marmara region.
Wines at lunch:
Doluca Antik (white)
DLC Shiraz (Red)
Doluca Karma Gamay-Boğazkere) (Red)

In the afternoon we continue to Yazir area to visit Umurbey winery which produces mainly wines with international grapes such as merlot, c.sauvignon, sauvignon blanc.
We then turn back to Istanbul.
Dinner is free.
 
DAY 5 : BOSPHORUS AND ASIAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL
Our day starts with a cruise on Bosphorus, the only strait in the world to separate two continents. We enjoy the view over the marble flowers such as Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Beylerbeyi Palaces.
The lunch will be taken on the shores of Bosphorus.
Wines at lunch:
Doluca DLC Sultaniye-Emir (white)
Corvus Teneia (white wine with Çavuş grape)
Kavaklıdere Ancyra (Red wine with Kalecik Karası grape)

In the afternoon we proceed to Asian side by bus or by boat. We discover Uskudar which is the oldest district, Kuzguncuk quarter known as crossroad of civilizations and religions with a mosque, two churches and one synagogue located side by side.

We attend to the seminar ‘Wine regions of Turkey’
 
Wines at dinner:
Kavaklıdere Çankaya (white)
Kavaklıdere Boğazkere (red)
Kavaklıdere Selection (red)
Kavaklıdere Rosato (sweet rose wine)

INCLUSIONS
Hotel accomodation is not included in our rates. For accomodation possibilities contact us.
 
TOUR PRICE (5 DAYS) :
The price written above is valid for one person in a double room
 
INFORMATION:
SUGGESTED TOUR DATES :
10 – 15 MARCH 2008
16 – 21 MARCH 2008
6 – 11 JULY 2008

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