Urgup is the wine capital of Cappadocia: thanks to volcanic, mineral-rich soil and a high, sunny continental climate, the vines here produce intense, characterful wines from grapes grown in this valley for thousands of years. The two essential stops for visitors are Kocabag and Turasan, both long-established family wineries with tasting rooms minutes from the town centre. Below is a local guide to where to taste, which wines to try, how to get there and how to plan a relaxed half-day around it.
Why Urgup is Cappadocia's wine town
Winemaking in Cappadocia goes back to antiquity, and the cool, dry tuff cellars carved into the soft rock are ideal for ageing wine. Urgup sits at the centre of this tradition, surrounded by vineyards that supply both large producers and small family cellars. The region is best known for indigenous Anatolian grapes such as Emir (a crisp local white), Kalecik Karasi, Okuzgozu and Bogazkere (full-bodied reds), so a tasting here is a genuine introduction to Turkish wine rather than the international varieties you can find anywhere.
The best wineries to visit in Urgup
Kocabag Wines
Kocabag is one of Cappadocia's best-known family wineries, founded in the early 1970s in the village of Uchisar just outside Urgup. It specialises in native grapes - its Emir whites and Kalecik Karasi reds are widely respected - and runs guided tastings where you can try several wines side by side and learn how the volcanic terroir shapes them. Its shop is an easy, friendly first stop if you only have time for one winery.
Turasan Winery
Turasan is one of the largest and oldest producers in the region, established in the 1940s, with cellars and a tasting room on the edge of Urgup town. It bottles a broad range of reds, whites and roses from both local and international grapes, and the on-site tasting room makes it the most convenient option if you are walking from the centre. Tastings are casual and you can buy bottles to take home.
Smaller cellars and town tasting rooms
Beyond the two big names, Urgup's centre has several small boutique tasting rooms and wine houses set inside historic stone buildings, where staff pour limited-production wines by the glass. These are perfect for an unhurried evening tasting after a day of sightseeing. Opening hours and ranges vary by season, so it is worth checking on the day.
One thing to note: Pasabag (Monks Valley) is a famous fairy-chimney site near Zelve rather than a winery, so visit it for its scenery - see our Pasabag (Monks Valley) guide - and keep your tastings to the wineries above.
How to get to Urgup's wineries
Urgup is about a 10-minute drive from Goreme and roughly 45-60 minutes from Nevsehir (NAV) and Kayseri (ASR) airports. Many tasting rooms in the town centre are walkable from Urgup's hotels, while the larger wineries on the outskirts are a short taxi ride away. Because you will be drinking, do not plan to drive yourself - book a taxi instead. For current door-to-door rates, use this live Cappadocia taxi price calculator.
Tips for a great tasting
- Go in the afternoon or early evening, when the light is soft and the tasting rooms are quietest.
- Ask specifically for native grapes - Emir, Kalecik Karasi, Okuzgozu and Bogazkere - to taste what makes Cappadocia distinctive.
- Tastings are inexpensive and often free if you buy a bottle; carry some cash as small cellars may not take cards.
- Arrange a taxi for the return so no one in your group has to drive.
- Pair your tasting with a meal - see our Cappadocia local food guide for the best local dishes to match the reds.
Plan your day around a tasting
A relaxed itinerary is a morning of sightseeing followed by an afternoon tasting in Urgup. Combine it with nearby valleys and viewpoints from our top things to do in Cappadocia, and check the best time to visit Cappadocia - the September-October harvest season is especially atmospheric for wine lovers.
FAQ
Which Urgup winery is best for first-time visitors?
Turasan is the most convenient because its tasting room is right by Urgup town, while Kocabag is the best pick if you want a focused tasting of native Cappadocian grapes. Visiting both takes a comfortable afternoon.
Do I need to book a wine tasting in advance?
For individual drop-in tastings at the larger wineries you usually do not, but group visits and guided cellar visits are best arranged ahead, especially in the busy spring and autumn months.
What wines is Cappadocia known for?
The signature local white is Emir, a crisp, mineral wine made almost only in this region, alongside reds from the Kalecik Karasi, Okuzgozu and Bogazkere grapes.
When is the best time for wine tasting in Urgup?
Spring and autumn are ideal; the grape harvest in September and October is the most rewarding time to visit, with the vineyards at their most active.
