The Urla Wineries Vineyard Route (Urla Bağ Yolu), located west of İzmir and south of Urla, connects all the wine producers in this region. Within the scope of the project initiated by the Urla Wine Producers and Viticulture Association for developing wine tourism, it has started receiving the attention it deserves at home and abroad. The Urla Bağ Yolu Route was implemented in 2016 for sustainable tourism based on agriculture and gastronomy.
Urla Wineries – Table of Contents
Urla Wineries Vineyard Route Tourism
Renowned for its vineyards, Urla has become a magnet for wine tourists seeking to immerse themselves in its rich wine culture. These enthusiasts typically spend 3-4 days exploring vineyards, restaurants, and attractions. Quality winery and restaurant businesses have effectively drawn the attention of wine tourists and shifted the focus away from day visitors. Initially driven by domestic tourism, Urla has experienced a noticeable increase in foreign visitors.
The Urla Vineyard Route, supported by robust destination promotion, has extended the tourism season by 3-4 months. Starting with seven establishments, the association has expanded to include emerging businesses in response to growing demand. The rise of wine tourism in Urla reflects a clear preference among enthusiasts for the region, underscoring the success of Urla’s agro-tourism initiatives.
Urla Wineries History & Geography
During the Roman Empire, it is recorded that Emperor Domitianus ordered the Urla vineyards to be burned out of jealousy. But those who could not resist their wines and vineyards somehow managed to dissuade the emperor. It was known that 90 million litres of wine were produced annually until 100 years ago. However, winemaking gradually began to decline over time due to various changes. Fifteen years ago, wine amphorae discovered during excavations for the establishment of a farm started to revive Urla’s wine history. Urla’s wine tradition was remembered with this discovery, and multiple vineyard houses began to open.
Urla is located at the thinnest point of a fertile peninsula, surrounded by the clear waters of the Aegean Sea from the north and south. Due to its peninsula location, it is open to the prevailing winds from the sea. These winds play an active role in the development of the vine and its protection from diseases. This makes Urla an ideal location for the cultivation of quality vines.
Urla Wineries Grape Varieties
Apart from the classic international grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Nero d’Avola, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Tempranillo, several Turkish varieties, including unique revived grapes, include Beyazkere, Boğazkere, Bornova Misketi, Emir, Gaydura, Grenache, Kalecik Karası, Narince, Sultana, and Urla Karası.
Urla Bağ Yolu Members
There are eleven members in total within the project route (so far, excluding Limantepe Şarapçılık). Each member has differentiated its wine, and many have won international awards. Urla villages, set amidst lush trees, giant pines, historical olive groves, and fertile plains, are a destination where you can experience regional traditions and savour local delicacies.
The wineries are seasonal and typically open from early June to late September. Note that most wineries restrict the age of children entering all or part of the facility; likewise, in some wineries, entry for dogs might be limited; please check before arrival. Wine tasting is usually afternoons from 13:00 hours and may require reservations, especially for groups of over eight persons. Link to likecesme.com pages on the respective wineries below:
Urla Bağ Yolu ~ Urla Wine Route Association Contacts:
Rüstem Mahallesi, Huzur Sokak No: 23, Urla/İZMİR – Phone: (0232) 759 01 11. Association Website.
Contacts for the wineries:
Ayda Şarapçılık
Location: Gödence, Kuruçeşme Küme Evler Sk No. 39, 35460 Seferihisar/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 579 0629 – Winery website – Ayda LikeCesme.com Page
Çakir Şarapçılık
Location: Kuşçular mh, 8036. Sk. No.54, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 579 0629 – Winery website – Çakir LikeCesme.com Page
HUS Şarapçılık
Location: Kuşçular, 8018/1. Sk. No:39, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 545 571 9042 – Winery website – HUS LikeCesme.com Page
İkidenizarası Şarapçılık
Location: Yağcılar, 9029 Sokak No: 8 D:8A, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: 0501 352 1500 – Winery website – İkidenizarası LikeCesme.com Page
Limantepe Şarapcılık (closed)
Location: Rüstem, Özbek Yolu Cd., 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: 0850 441 3720 – Winery website – Limantepe LikeCesme.com Page
Mozaik Şarapçılık
Location: Kuşçular, 8015. Sk. No:6, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 465 0321 – Winery website – Mozaik LikeCesme.com Page
MMG Şarapçılık
Location: No:40, Gödence Yolu Cd., 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 776 6366 – Winery website – MMG LikeCesme.com Page
Perdix Şarapçılık
Location: Birgi, İzmir Çeşme Yolu No 14, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 506 099 1433 – Winery website – Perdix LikeCesme.com Page
Statera Şarapçılık
Location: Özbek, 6115 Sokak No 10/1, 35434 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 531 507 8224 – Winery website – Statera LikeCesme.com Page
Urla Şarapçılık
Location: Kuşçular, 8028 Sok. No:12, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 759 0111 – Winery website – Urla LikeCesme.com Page
Urlice Şarapçılık
Location: İçmeler, 1168. Sk. No:7, 35430 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 533 161 7469 – Winery website – Urlice LikeCesme.com Page
USCA Şarapçılık
Location: Kuşçular, 8033. Sk. No:1, 35437 Urla/İzmir – Tel: +90 232 759 0099 – Winery website – USCA LikeCesme.com Page
Urla Wineries Global Awards
Since 2018, wines produced by vineyards along the Urla Vineyard Route have earned awards from numerous national and international organisations. Some of these organisations are listed below:
● Turkish Wine Challenge (TWC)
● Challenging Master Classes (CMC)
● International Wine Challenge (IWC)
● Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA)
● Wine Award International
● Turkey Sommelier Association
In 2024, the collective Urla Vineyard Route was awarded the global recognition prize of “Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2024“. To address sustainability challenges, the Urla Vineyard Route implemented various solutions. It promoted alternative tourism to diversify from beach tourism, supported by the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, İzmir Development Agency, and the European Union. Marketing efforts included pamphlets, brochures, a website, and a mobile app to attract wine tourists.
Collaborative efforts among businesses ensured mutual support despite competition, fostering regional unity. Digitalisation enhanced accessibility and communication. These measures aimed to ensure sustainable tourism, preserve cultural heritage, and equitably distribute economic benefits for the long-term development of the Urla region. Preservation of vineyards and the surrounding ecosystem is paramount. Businesses employ natural farming methods to minimise their impact on local flora and fauna, contributing to biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration projects. They also implement sustainable practices in water resource management and waste disposal.
In villages experiencing reverse migration from urban areas, tourism revenues have revitalised communities and raised living standards. These villages, rich in historical and natural resources, have become popular tourist destinations featured in various tour programs.
Teruar Urla Hotel
Teruar Urla is a boutique hotel and Michelin‑starred restaurant nestled in the heart of Urla’s lush countryside, close to Urla Şarapçılık in İzmir province, part of Türkiye’s celebrated Urla Wine Route. Housed in an elegantly restored stone structure surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, the hotel features just seven guest rooms adorned with local stone, wood, linen, and cotton. Each room is thoughtfully oriented to capture views of the changing seasons across the landscape, offering a tranquil and immersive setting for those seeking peace and connection with nature. The property also holds certification in sustainable tourism, aligning with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s standards, which underscores its eco-conscious ethos.
By day and evening, Teruar transforms into a gastronomic haven led by Chef Osman Serdaroğlu, whose minimalist yet flavourful Mediterranean cuisine, influenced by Italian flair, has earned the restaurant a coveted Michelin star (“One Star: High quality cooking”). The tasting menu changes seasonally, featuring local highlights such as lamb saltimbocca or fried courgette with goat cheese cream and dried yoghurt, each paired with Turkish wines chosen to reflect the terroir of the region, the very philosophy behind the restaurant’s name (“Teruar“). The dining ambience aboard the terrace and aperitif room with views of the valley below and glimpses of the kitchen in action is deliberately serene and refined, offering guests an intimate culinary experience in harmony with the land.
Check Availability of the Teruar Urla Hotel on booking.com via the QR code or click here.
Guests consistently praise the warm, attentive service and the soothing ambience, often describing the property as an oasis of calm and authenticity among Urla’s greenery. The combination of sustainable hospitality, local ingredients, carefully curated wine pairings, and boutique lodging makes Teruar Urla a standout destination for both food lovers and travellers seeking a peaceful escape in Aegean Türkiye.
Social Media Links
Urla Bağ Yolu promotional videos produced in 2017: