Cappadocia Vineyards

Cappadocia is a region with very large vineyards. It is known that the homeland of grapes is Anatolia. Grape cultivation in the Cappadocia region dates to prehistoric times. The vineyards of Cappadocia are places where thousands of years of grape growing tradition can be seen and at the same time, more than 10 kinds of products grown in the region can be tasted. The vineyards, especially in the season, both as a feast of taste and during the vintage, the festive atmosphere will be a very nice experience.

Cappadocia Grape Cultivation

Although the people of the region have recently turned to potato farming, they have returned to the viticulture business later. Grapes grown in this region are largely used as a basic consumption item. There are areas of use for consumption as fruit, consumption in vinegar and grape juice production, consumption in the pharmaceutical sector, and wine production. In addition, 30% of the total black grape consumption is consumed as raisins.

Grapes Used for Wine Making

Of course, attention is paid to the type of grapes according to their usage areas. For example, the preferred breed for winemaking is Emir. This type of grape forms one-tenth of the grapes grown in the region. It usually ripens in the fall, like September. Emir got its name because it is the raw material of a beverage preferred by the rulers. Emir, the grape is very suitable for winemaking. This grape variety is preferred especially for producing sparkling wines.
There are also small factories with individual workshops in wine production in the region. In parallel with the development of wine production in Turkey, interest in grape production in the region has increased. The increasing interest in grapes was mostly seen in Kalecik Karası and Papaz Karası red grapes, and Narince grapes as white grapes.

Urgun Wine-Harvest Festival

Grape growing in Nevsehir is mostly done in Urgup. Grapes grown in this region are more suitable for winemaking as we mentioned above. Of course, the period when these grapes, which are suitable for winemaking, are started to be collected is also important. This period when the grapes are collected from the vineyards is called vintage. The vintage is usually done after the first two weeks of September.

Cappadocia Wine History

Molasses, wine, grapes, and grape juice are important in the Cappadocia region. There is evidence that wine was produced in the Greater Cappadocia region. In the royal tombs in Alacahoyuk, a Hittite settlement, golden vessels with wine were found. Cappadocia region: Since the depths of history, it has had an important place in viticulture and grape growing in Turkey with its vineyards. The lava residues erupted by the Erciyes, Hasan, and Melendiz Mountains surrounding this region, tuff soils and non-hard rocks are important reasons for quality grape cultivation.
There is also historical evidence that wine was produced in the houses of Urgup at the end of the 18th century.

With an edict issued by Damat İbrahim Pasha, he ordered that Nevsehir foundation lands be reserved for viticulture. Thus, the vineyards of Cappadocia developed. It is known that these places are between Urgup and Goreme, between Kurtderesi and Uchisar. Since Damat İbrahim Pasha, the region’s viticulture has made significant progress. The history of viticulture in Anatolia, the homeland of grapevine culture, dates to BC. It dates to 5000 years.
There are 1200 different types of grapes in our country. However, 60 of them have reached the level of serving commercial purposes. Since wine consumption is low in Turkey, especially when compared to European countries, although grape production is high, its conversion rate to wine is low. 2% of the grapes produced in Turkey are turned into wine. Of course, not every grape produces wine. Wine is produced especially from the grape type called Emir.

Cappadocia Emir Grape

EMİR (İMİR) GRAPE: It is a juicy, white grape variety of the Cappadocia region. It is an intensely preferred species in white wine production. In the vineyards of Nevsehir, Kırsehir, Kayseri, and Nigde, it is widely produced. It is used in making dry wine. The homeland of the Emir grape is Nevsehir. Name: It is said that since it is the special wine of the rulers, it is taken from the emirs.

It is widely grown in the Cappadocia region and the Kızılırmak basin close to the region. It is a juicy grape variety with medium-sized grains and medium-thick skin. Its aromatic and acidic structure causes it to gain value as a wine grape. Harvest begins in late September. It grows in the micro-climatic area formed by the Kızılırmak basin on the plateaus at an altitude of 900 – 1100 in the Central Anatolia region. to the region, volcanic, tuff soil structure is dominant. Emir grapes are also available in Kırsehir, Kayseri, and Nigde. Emir grapes grown in the Gulsehir district are called “kart Emir” and “has Emir”.

How to Go to Urgup Vineyards?

At MDC Hotel, we are working to ensure that all our guests traveling to Cappadocia can see all the values of this region. We provide you with access to all experiences, especially with HTR Tour Agency. We can also organize private tours for Urgup vineyards. You can reach us on the subject at this link.