Harvest in Urla – Two Winery Visits in Turkey’s Aegean Wine Country

Harvest season has arrived in Urla — and I timed my trip perfectly to catch the very start of it. There’s an infectious buzz in the air: teams working in the vineyards and cellars, the scent of crushed grapes drifting from winery doors, and the Aegean sun casting its late-summer glow over vineyards.

Urla – A Historic Wine Region with a Modern Renaissance

Urla, on the Aegean coast of western Turkey and just half an hour from my hometown of İzmir, has a winemaking history stretching back to the 11th century BC. The ancient Ionians planted vines in Klazomenai, the city that once stood where modern-day Urla now lies, laying the foundations for a viticultural tradition that continues today. Over the centuries, this peninsula has been known for its olive oil, fishing and agriculture, but in recent years it has experienced a remarkable revival as one of Turkey’s most exciting gastronomic destinations with Michelin-starred restaurants popping up in unassuming corners.

The rolling, wind-cooled hills are dotted with artichoke farms, olive groves and vineyards, while sheltered bays sparkle with the turquoise waters of the Aegean. Olive oil has been produced here since at least the 6th century BC, and now, alongside olive presses, small boutique wineries are flourishing. The Urla Vineyard Route showcases the area’s diversity, from native grapes to international classics, and makes it an ideal destination for wine travellers.

During my visit, I spent time with two producers who perfectly capture the region’s energy and dedication: Hus and Urla Wines. They’re part of a growing number of passionate wineries here, many of which are well worth a visit.

Hus – Family Passion and the Rise of Cariñena in Urla

I began at Hus, a small boutique family winery I’d first visited for lunch at their excellent on-site restaurant in 2022. This time, I returned to taste their full range and tour the winery with founder Ceylan Ertörer Diaz Leon, hearing first-hand about her passion for making wine in her home region.

Working with consulting winemaker Jose Hernandez, Hus produces a range that’s nothing short of impressive. Their four Cariñena (Carignan) wines were a real highlight — from bright, early-harvested, fruit-forward styles to premium, old-vine, ungrafted, dry-farmed single-vineyard bottlings. This grape has found a natural home in Urla’s terroir and, thanks to Hus’s quality-minded approach of keeping yields low, it produces wines with perfect balance, vivid fruit concentration, finely judged oak, and a finish that lingers beautifully. I couldn’t resist taking some of the single-vineyard expressions home — I’m eager to see how they evolve over time.

Beyond Cariñena, I also enjoyed a single-varietal Alicante Bouschet (locally Kara Sulu), as well as Hus’s interpretations of Öküzgözü and Boğazkere. For white wine lovers, their Emir remains one of my firm favourites — a lively, citrus-charged burst of Cappadocian volcanic soils in the glass.

Huge thanks to Ceylan and the Hus team for their warm hospitality, made even more special by the fact that my visit coincided with their very first week of harvest. Hus is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Urla Wine Route.

Urla Wines – Innovation and a Regional Flagbearer

From Hus, I made my way to Urla Wines, one of the region’s most renowned producers and a key driver of Urla’s modern wine revival. I’d last visited in 2022, and even included one of their wines in my Aegean tasting this June, so it was a pleasure to return, tour the winery, and taste through their latest vintages.

Urla Wines is best known for its international varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot — alongside Turkish grapes such as Boğazkere and Bornova Misketi. But what really caught my attention this time were the two native varieties they’re championing.

Beyazkere — an albino mutation of Boğazkere — grows only at Urla Wines and nowhere else in the world. Urla Karası, another rare local grape, has been propagated and shared by the winery with others in the region, so hopefully we’ll soon be able to taste a wider range of expressions from different producers.

As always, Urla Wines’s reds impressed — polished, expressive and full of character. My visit coincided with their first day of harvest, and yet the welcome was warm and generous.

Why Urla Should Be on Every Wine Lover’s List

With its ancient history, coastal charm, and the dedication of producers like Hus and Urla Wines — alongside many other passionate, quality-minded wineries — Urla is firmly establishing itself as one of Turkey’s most exciting wine destinations. The combination of native grape revival, low-yield, quality-focused winemaking, and the stunning Aegean setting makes it a region worth exploring — and one you’ll want to return to again and again.

If you’re travelling through western Turkey, make sure the Urla Wine Route is on your itinerary. You might just find yourself, like me, arriving at harvest time — the perfect moment to experience the region in full, vibrant swing.