Indigenous variety · Red grape · Thrace
Adakarası
About this grape
Adakarası — "the island's black" — is a red grape indigenous to Avşa Island in the Sea of Marmara. It originates on Avşa and is also grown along the Marmara coast and in East Thrace.
The variety had nearly gone extinct before the Büyülübağ winery revived it for quality red and rosé wines. In 2025, "Avşa Adakarası" became the first Turkish wine to receive a Geographical Indication.
- Profile
- Fresh, peppery, medium-bodied; red fruit and sweet spice
- Best experienced in
- Avşa Island, Sea of Marmara
- Pairs with
- Bulgur dishes, grilled summer fare; served chilled
Growing conditions
It has short clusters of oval, thick-skinned purple berries. Wines are typically around 12% alcohol with bright acidity, giving fresh, peppery, medium-bodied reds and rosés marked by red fruit, sweet spice, and black pepper.
Where it's grown
Producers growing this grape
Thrace · Avşa (Marmara Adası), Balıkesir
Büyülübağ
A roughly 20-hectare boutique family vineyard in Yiğitler village on Avşa, a small island in the Sea of Marmara. Founded in 2003 by Alp Törüner, Büyülübağ is widely cited as Turkey's first gravity-flow winery.
Grape varieties: Adakarası, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
Frequently asked questions
- What does Adakarası mean?
It means "the island's black" in Turkish — a reference to its origin on Avşa Island.
- Where is Adakarası grown?
It is indigenous to Avşa Island in the Sea of Marmara and is also grown along the Marmara coast and in East Thrace.
- What is special about Avşa Adakarası?
In 2025 it became the first Turkish wine to receive a Geographical Indication, recognizing Adakarası grown on Avşa Island.
Last reviewed: