Real Turkey ExperiencesWinery Lunch After Visiting Ephesus

Turkish Lunch Menu

The lunch includes a variety of dishes from Turkish Aegean cuisine. Meals often begin with meze—small starters such as:

• Stuffed grape leaves
• Roasted eggplant salad
• Haydari (thick yogurt with garlic and herbs)
• Fresh white cheese

These are followed by warm dishes like grilled lamb or chicken, baked vegetables with olive oil, and rice or bulgur pilaf. Fresh bread and salads made with local herbs are also served. The food is simple, fresh, and typical of the region.

Wine Tasting: Local Grape Varieties

The wines offered at the winery are made using Turkish grape varieties not widely known outside the country. The tasting usually includes several types:

• Kalecik Karası: A light red wine with berry and floral notes. It comes from Central Anatolia and is smooth and easy to drink.
• Öküzgözü: A medium to full-bodied red with flavors of cherry and plum.
• Boğazkere: A strong, tannic red wine, more intense in flavor, often blended with Öküzgözü to soften it.
• Emir: A dry white wine with citrus and mineral notes, often served cold. It pairs well with the lighter meze and salads.

A Quiet Break in Nature

The winery setting is peaceful, with views of the vineyard and surrounding hills. The visit offers a chance to try local food and wine in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the crowds at Ephesus.

It’s a short stop, but a good way to experience another part of Turkish culture—its food, wine, and countryside—all in one place.