Eastern Anatolia Wine Route

Eastern Anatolia is where Turkey's most characterful indigenous grapes...

Eastern Anatolia is where Turkey's most characterful indigenous grapes originate. Öküzgözü ('ox eye') and Boğazkere ('throat grabber') produce powerful, tannic reds that have been grown here since antiquity. This is Turkey's least-visited but most authentic wine region.

A Wine Memories curated trail · winememories.fi

8 experiences 🇹🇷 Turkey moderate 1-2 weeks

Map

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Stops

Curated by Wine Memories

  1. 1
    🗺️

    Elazığ Vineyard Heartland

    Visit the birthplace of Öküzgözü (Ox-Eye), one of Turkey's most prized red grapes. Family vineyards surrounding Lake Hazar produce intensely fruity wines from vines planted at 1,100m elevation.

    tour $
  2. 2
    🗺️

    Diyarbakır Ancient Wine Caves

    Explore wine caves carved into the basalt walls of one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Christian Armenian winemakers operated these cellars until 1915.

    tour $
  3. 3
    ⛰️

    Lake Van Island Monastery Vineyards

    Take a boat to Akdamar Island in Lake Van to see the 10th-century Armenian cathedral surrounded by abandoned monastery vineyards. The monks produced sacramental wine here for 1,000 years.

    adventure $
  4. 4
    🍷

    Mardin Stone House Wine Tasting

    Taste Boğazkere and Öküzgözü blends in a restored sandstone mansion overlooking Mesopotamian plains. A sommelier-led experience exploring wines from Eastern Anatolia's emerging producers.

    tasting $$
  5. 5
    ⛰️

    Şanlıurfa Vineyard Trek

    Trek through vineyards near the legendary birthplace of Abraham. Local tradition says wine was first made here - whether true or not, viticulture dates back 10,000 years at Göbekli Tepe nearby.

    adventure $
  6. 6
    🗺️

    Euphrates River Valley Vineyard

    Visit terraced vineyards along the Euphrates River canyon, some of the most dramatic vineyard landscapes in Turkey. Family-run operation producing rustic reds from ancient vine cuttings.

    tour $
  7. 7
    🗺️

    Eğil Historic Wine Cellars

    Discover restored wine cellars from the Armenian era in this riverside town. Local cooperative has revived winemaking using traditional Boğazkere grapes from organic vineyards.

    tour $
  8. 8
    ⛰️

    Hasankeyf Cave Dwellings & Wine Heritage

    Explore 12,000-year-old cave dwellings that once housed wine cellars carved by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. Note: Much of old Hasankeyf has been flooded by dam construction, but relocated sites remain accessible.

    adventure free

Plan the trip

Insider tip. Try the local kebabs with your wine - Eastern Turkish cuisine pairs perfectly with the bold local reds.

Getting there and around

Car required
Yes
Parking
Free at wineries. Cities have mix of free/paid parking.
Nearest airport
Elazığ Airport (EZS) - 15 min to city center
Drinking and driving
Hire driver for entire trip. This region requires experienced local guidance.
Other airports
  • Diyarbakır Airport (DIY) - for southern route
  • Van Ferit Melen Airport (VAN) - for eastern extension
Without a car
Very limited. Private driver essential for full experience.

Where to stay

Base yourself in
Elazığ
Why there
All three wineries within 20 km. Gateway to Eastern Anatolia wine region.
Booking tip
Book flexible - weather and logistics can force changes.
Nightly range
₺500-2000 ($15-60)

Recommended stays

Budget
Elazığ city hotels - basic but clean
Luxury
Limited luxury options - consider Cappadocia before/after
Mid-range
Grand Haldı Hotel - best in town, central
Vineyard stays
None available - this is undeveloped wine tourism territory

What it costs

Includes
Accommodation, transport, tastings, meals, site entry
Meals
₺100-300 per day
Per person
₺3,000-6,000 ($90-180)
Ways to spend less
  • This is budget-friendly Turkey - everything is cheap
  • Hire driver through hotel - often the best local connection
  • Street food (kebabs, lahmacun) is exceptional and cheap
  • Combined flights to multiple eastern airports can save time
Tasting fees
₺50-150 per winery

Booking and timing

Lead time
1-2 weeks for wineries, day-of for most sites
Closed days
Wineries may close unexpectedly. Call ahead always.
Peak season
May-September best. Winter can bring snow to high areas.
Best time of day
Nemrut sunrise essential. Wineries flexible.
Group size
Self-guided or small groups only. No organized wine tours.

Where to eat

Lunch
  • Elazığ kebab houses - local lamb specialties
  • Diyarbakır liver kebab - regional specialty
Dinner
  • Harput Konağı (near Elazığ) - historic mansion restaurant
  • Diyarbakır old town restaurants - incredible Kurdish cuisine
Winery restaurants
  • Limited - most tastings are wine-only. Pack snacks.

If your time is short

Do not miss
If you only have one day
If it rains
Focus on Elazığ wineries - all have indoor facilities
Skip if time is short

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don't underestimate distances - this is a big, rugged region
  • Don't expect English everywhere - learn basic Turkish phrases
  • Don't skip Mount Nemrut - worth the early morning
  • Don't visit without a local driver - essential for logistics and language
  • Don't compare to western wine regions - this is frontier territory

Worth stopping for

  • Mount Nemrut: Arrive 30 min before sunrise. Statues face east.
  • Vineyards: Late afternoon light on red clay soil is stunning
  • Diyarbakır walls: Best at golden hour when basalt glows
  • Lake Van: Sunrise/sunset with mountains behind are epic