Commercial cultivation is essentially confined to Cappadocia — the high-altitude plateaus around Ürgüp, Avanos, and Nevşehir.

What does the name Emir mean?

The name links to the grape's Ottoman-era local designation, thought to denote something "superior" or "distinguished."

What style of wine is made from Emir?

Predominantly high-acid, dry, mineral-driven whites; some producers also use it for traditional-method sparkling wine.

Indigenous variety · White grape · Cappadocia

Emir

Emir is an indigenous white grape grown on Cappadocia's high-altitude volcanic tuff plateaus. Traditionally planted around Ürgüp, Avanos, and Nevşehir, it is one of the grapes that defines the region's viticultural identity.

It is adapted to elevations of 900–1,300 m and the harsh continental climate of central Anatolia, producing brisk-acid, mineral-driven fruit on sites with strong day-night temperature swings.

Growing conditions

High acidity, lean structure, and mineral character. Performs best on volcanic tuff and basalt; loses tension on sites without the region's typical hot day / cool night swing.

Where it's grown

Cappadocia

Spread among the tuff valleys of Ürgüp and Avanos, Cappadocia's vineyards sit on volcanic soils at high elevation, producing distinctive expressions of indigenous Emir and Narince. Cellars carved into soft rock, hilltop tasting rooms, and cave-hotels make the region a natural multi-day wine tourism destination.

Key grape varieties: Emir, Narince, Kalecik Karası
wineries: 6

Central Anatolia

North-east of Ankara, the district of Kalecik gives its name to one of Türkiye's signature red grapes — Kalecik Karası. Vineyards run along the Kızılırmak river valley, where continental conditions and ancient terraces shape elegant, perfumed reds. Day trips from the capital are easy, and a handful of producers welcome visitors year-round.

Key grape varieties: Kalecik Karası, Hasandede, Narince
wineries: 5

Producers growing this grape

Cappadocia · Karaburna, Hacıbektaş (Nevşehir)

Deniz Şarapçılık

A family producer on the northern edge of Cappadocia in Karaburna village, Hacıbektaş — run by Nazmiye Turgut. The estate bottles wines from Anatolian grapes under the Aryatus and Laurasia labels, with a tasting outlet in Avanos (Aryatus Şarap Evi).

Grape varieties: Emir, Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü

Listing completeness 9/12

Cappadocia · Aktepe, Avanos (Nevşehir)

Evenez Şarap Evi

A boutique winery in Aktepe village, Avanos, founded by chemistry engineer Ahmet Sarıkaya. Wine production began in 2002 and the factory officially opened in 2005, growing from 4,000 to 40,000 litres of capacity.

Grape varieties: Emir, Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü, Dimrit

Listing completeness 7/12

Cappadocia · Yeşilyurt, Gülşehir (Nevşehir)

Kavaklıdere — Côtes d'Avanos

Kavaklıdere's Cappadocia production facility, opened in 2003 in Yeşilyurt village (Gülşehir/Nevşehir) under the "Côtes d'Avanos" name — a boutique-scale outpost focused on central-Anatolian indigenous grapes.

Grape varieties: Emir, Kalecik Karası, Boğazkere, Öküzgözü

Listing completeness 8/12

Cappadocia · Ürgüp

Kocabağ

A three-generation family estate in Ürgüp with cellars carved into the region's iconic volcanic tuff. A natural Cappadocian wine-tourism stop.

Grape varieties: Emir, Narince, Kalecik Karası, Boğazkere

Listing completeness 10/12

Cappadocia · Sarıhıdır, Avanos (Nevşehir)

S'narin Riverside Wine House

A boutique winery on the bank of the Kızılırmak in Sarıhıdır village (Avanos), founded by Senar Sümer Çalışkan in 2022 with around 7,000 bottles of annual production. Winemaker Gülçin Akçay has worked in viticulture and wine production since 2002.

Grape varieties: Emir, Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere

Listing completeness 9/12

Cappadocia · Ürgüp

Turasan

A long-established Ürgüp producer well placed for visitors on a Cappadocia day trip — the tasting room sits in the centre of town.

Grape varieties: Emir, Narince, Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü