Destinations
Urla’a International Influence
Urla lies between Çeşme and İzmir on a peninsula of moist, rich soil surrounded by the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. With a 6,000-year-old history of viticulture, Urla is now merited with the growth of international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Nero d’Avola and local grapes such as Bornova Misketi (Muscat), Sultaniye and Boğazkere.
Stepping back in history, the ancient Urla Karası, once thought to be a lost grape variety in the region, has been resurrected in local areas. Other old and extinct grapes indigenous to these places, such as Foça Karası and Gaydura, were reproduced and saved from extinction.
Urla is home to some of the most stunning vineyards in Türkiye. Visitors to the Urla Vineyard Route can enjoy delicious and award-winning produce at chateau-style establishments, stay in boutique accommodation, visit gourmet restaurants, and explore the beautiful green countryside.
The annual Urla Grape Harvest Festival has been celebrated for 27 consecutive years.
Among the festival’s highlights, grape treading gets a lot of attention and is tremendous fun! This time-honoured maceration method sees young women stomp on the grapes with their bare feet to release the grapes’ juices and start fermentation.
Wonderful compliments to the produce in this region include the wonderous variety of the peppery and spicy Kopanisti, the creamy and ripened Bergama Tulumu, and the yörük culture of Armola cheese.
