Wine Tasting in Istanbul: 9 Places You Have to Try

Istanbul is a city of contrasts, with a modern skyline that includes the skyscrapers of Levent and the historic mosques of Sultanahmet. The city is home to a number of world-famous sights, including the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Topkapi Palace. Istanbul is also a city of culture, with a vibrant music and arts scene. The city hosts a number of annual festivals, including the Istanbul International Film Festival and the Istanbul Jazz Festival.

Istanbul is a popular tourist destination, with over 12 million visitors each year. The city has something to offer everyone, from its rich history and culture to its modern shopping malls, where you can do some of the best shopping in Istanbul, and nightlife. Istanbul is truly a city like no other.

Istanbul is not only a city of contrasts but also a city of great food and drink. The city is home to a number of world-class restaurants, as well as a thriving wine industry. Istanbul is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of Turkish wine, with its mild climate and scenic views.

The best time to visit Istanbul for wine tasting is in the spring or autumn when the weather is cool, and the grapes are in season. There are a number of wine festivals held in Istanbul each year, which are the perfect opportunity to sample the best of Turkish wines. The Istanbul Wine Festival and the Autumn Wine Festival are great opportunities to delve into the wine-tasting options in Istanbul if your trip coincides with these events.

If you're looking for a more intimate wine-tasting experience, there are a number of private wine tours and food tours available in Istanbul. These tours take you to some of the city's best-kept secrets, including small family-run wineries and hidden vineyards.

Before you embark on your wine-tasting adventure, make sure you don't have to worry about your bags. Visit a Bounce luggage locker in Istanbul and let us take care of all your suitcases and backpacks. Without your bags weighing you down, you'll discover that Istanbul is a city of endless possibilities. Whether you're looking for history, culture, food and drink, or just a good time, you'll find it all in Istanbul.

Wine Tasting in Istanbul

From cooking classes to street food and restaurants with excellent Turkish cuisine and decadent wines to try, there are many culinary delights on offer in Istanbul. You will not regret adding a wine-tasting tour to your Istanbul plans, and these are some of the best wine-tasting options you can access during your stay.

Full-Day Wine Tours

A full-day winery tour is often the best way to experience the wineries in or near Istanbul. You will be treated to a visit to many of the best wineries in the Kirklareli wine region, and you will get to see lovely areas of Thrace. There are also stops to look at the Strandja Mountains, which are breathtaking. Many of the wineries you will have paid to see when you take a full-day tour will offer you food and unlimited tastings at each stop, making this kind of tour a great value.

Best of all, you can be picked up at various locations, and you will not have to worry about transportation as you head to each of the different wine producers. This is an excellent way to leave the planning up to the experts and to enjoy Istanbul as well as the region.

Location:

Various pickup points and destinations in and around Istanbul.

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Wine Tastings

If you have ever wanted to sail on the Bosphorus while enjoying a delicious meal and wine tastings of local wines, you are in luck! Many outfits offer dinner cruises in this region that are affordable and come with a show too! These floating meal and wine tasting events are an ideal way to see another side of Istanbul and to enjoy some culture that you might not otherwise have the chance to engage with.

The service on these cruises is excellent, and there are usually allergy-friendly meal options as well that you can enjoy. While a bit different than a private tour or typical wine tasting, this is still a great way to appreciate the area around this ancient city and the Turkish wine that it is famous for.

Location:

Küçük Ayasofya Mahallesi, Nakilbent Sk. No:29, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey; plus others.

Buyulubag

This is a special wine tasting opportunity if you have a full day to spare. To visit this winemaker, you will need to head to Avşa Island in the Marmara Sea, and you will be treated to some of the best cabernet sauvignon you have ever had. The winery is in such a unique location that you will probably want to enjoy the views and the scenery, as well as the wines you can try here. They cultivate a total of 17 different grapes, so the selection is unparalleled, and the wine cellar is a treat to visit.

This island vineyard is perched atop the hills near the sea, and the island itself is a common vacation destination for locals. You can choose to get a hotel room and stay here overnight when you come to visit the island's own winery. This is a great opportunity to get a private tour of a boutique winery and to try wine vintages that are not offered in other locations. The island has its own microclimate resulting in a truly unique wine experience. Being able to stay on the island for a night just adds to the magic of the trip.

Location:

Acıbadem, Etap İş Merkezi, Lavanta Sk. No:2 D:C Blok D, 34718 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

La Cave Sarap

Located on one of Istanbul's most famous walking streets, this wine house, which is essentially a wine bar, is an ideal place to drop in during your visit to try some lovely local wines. This is a street within the heart of the city that never seems to sleep, and you can easily head here in between (or after) checking out the main tourist attractions. Pick up some Turkish delight while you're in this central area, and while it may not pair very well with the wine, it's an Istanbul food you absolutely have to try.

The prices at this location are excellent, so sampling a bunch of Turkish wine won't break the bank. La Cave Sarap is a small location, and you'll want to dine elsewhere, but the wine list and great service make this a worthy stop on any Istanbul wine tasting list.

Location:

Kılıçali Paşa, Sıraselviler Cd. No:109, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul

If you want to head to the Tekirdag region to try some wines, you will want to pick this wine tour. You will be picked up at your hotel and taken to Chateau Kalpak for your first stop of the day to try some of the most famous Turkish wine in the region and to enjoy a private wine-making tour at this famous winery. Then you will head to Barbare Vineyard for lunch and another wine-tasting adventure in the beauty of this part of the region. You can walk through the vault and storehouses at Barbare Vineyard as well, which is always fun.

The day ends with a stop at Chateau Nuzun winery to learn about organic winemaking and to try everything from a sauvignon blanc to a cabernet sauvignon and other local Turkish wine favorites. This is a tour that offers great value for your money and takes the hassle out of planning the journey yourself.

Location:

Pickup from your hotel; various wineries in the Tekirdag region.

Pano Wine Bar

This lovely little wine bar offers you access to a wide array of Turkish wines, and you can get delicious Italian cuisine here as well. Aside from wine, try the Turkish coffee here. It's another rite of passage on the drink scene in Istanbul. Pano Wine Bar is a great place to enjoy a few different varieties of sauvignon blanc or to order from the more unique wine list to try wines not sold in other regions of the world.

You can stop in here for a late lunch or dinner as well, so make sure that you consider staying long enough to eat no matter when you drop by. With delicious food and an enviable selection of wines, this is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal in Istanbul.

Location:

Hüseyinağa, Hamalbaşı Cd. No:12, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Hazzo Pulo Restaurant ve Şarap Evi

This cozy little wine bar and restaurant offers a wide array of wines that you can choose to pair with a meal or that you can try with a simple plate of olives, cheese, and crackers. You will love the appearance and atmosphere of this charming bar in the heart of the old city, and you will get excellent service when you choose this wine-tasting spot. This is a small location, so be sure to make a reservation before you arrive so that you can be sure to get a table.

The tables are tiny, so you might not be able to sit down at a single table with a large group. However, if your group doesn't mind being split up, you will not regret coming here for a delicious meal and some even better wine.

Location:

Evliya Çelebi, Galatasaray, Meşrutiyet Cd. No:31/B, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Bordo Wine Bar

Bordo Wine Bar is a great place to drop in for a tasting if you have been out and about all day and are ready for a little afternoon break and some food. You will be treated to excellent service here, and the wine list is extensive. There are not as many food options compared to other Istanbul wine bars, but the wine list more than makes up for this lack of choice.

Order a wine flight to try out a bunch of different wines when you visit. This is one of the best places to try out a wide range of different producers' and wine makers' products. Bordo showcases the wide range of grapes and, therefore, wines available in this region.

Location:

Caferağa, Sakız Gülü Sk. No:7, 34711 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey

Solera Winery Wine Bar

This winery's tasting location in the heart of Istanbul, just off the busy İstiklal Avenue, offers you access to a wide array of different Turkish wines, and you will be able to pair your tasting with excellent food options as well. The atmosphere is comfortable and casual, and the staff know what they are talking about. This is a great place to head to if you are not sure which kinds of wine you want to try because this place offers a good selection.

The atmosphere at Solera Winery Wine Bar is always welcoming, and they put a lot of care into the meals and snacks they serve. Menu items vary with the seasons to ensure you get the tastiest and freshest food.

Location:

Tomtom, Yeni Çarşı Cd. No:44, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

Conclusion

If you only have a couple of days to enjoy Istanbul, consult our guide on how best to spend 3 days in Istanbul. That way, you can be sure to cram in as much fun as possible in between your wine tastings and wine tours. This busy city still manages to offer calm and quiet in select areas and its surroundings. The best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is to hop on a bus or rent a car and explore the many excellent wineries that call this part of the world home.