Indigenous variety · White grape · Central Anatolia
Narince
About this grape
Narince is a white grape native to the Niksar district of Tokat — at the transition between central Anatolia and the Black Sea. Today it is also planted across Cappadocia, Thrace, and the high-elevation Aegean.
Its name means "delicate" in Turkish, reflecting both the grape's thin skins and the careful harvest it requires. With its bright acidity and aromatic profile, Narince is one of Türkiye's most widely planted indigenous white varieties.
Growing conditions
Medium to high acidity, gently aromatic (orange blossom, stone fruit), with a light honey nuance. Finds balance on calcareous clay soils. Thin skins make it sensitive to sunburn on exposed rows.
Where it's grown
Aegean
Stretching from the Urla peninsula to the island of Bozcaada, the Aegean coast is one of Anatolia's deepest viticultural landscapes — volcanic soils, cooling sea breezes, and indigenous varieties like Bornova Misketi and Urla Karası shape the region's terroir. Boutique wineries offer tastings, vineyard tours, and on-site stays.
- Key grape varieties
- Bornova Misketi, Urla Karası, Sultaniye
- wineries
- 28
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
Denizli
The high plateaus of Çal and Güney in Denizli host cool-climate vineyards, including the indigenous Çalkarası grape that gives its name to the region's signature rosés. Proximity to the travertines of Pamukkale makes Denizli a natural pairing of wine, nature, and ancient ruins on a single trip.
- Key grape varieties
- Çalkarası, Sultaniye, Bornova Misketi
- wineries
- 8
Thrace
Covering Tekirdağ, Kırklareli, Şarköy, and Eceabat, Thrace is where Türkiye's vineyards meet the Marmara — a mosaic of indigenous varieties like Papazkarası and Karasakız alongside well-established international plantings. The Trakya Bağ Rotası links over a dozen producers across rolling hills, with farm-to- table dining and vineyard stays at many stops.
- Key grape varieties
- Papazkarası, Karasakız, Cabernet Sauvignon
- wineries
- 13
Producers growing this grape
Aegean · Şirince, Selçuk
Akberg Şirince Şarapçılık
A boutique producer widely credited with establishing Şirince's reputation as a wine village. The winery was founded in 1997 when the village's old olive-oil factory and historic schoolhouse were converted for wine production; modern equipment was installed in 1999.
Grape varieties: Boğazkere, Öküzgözü, Narince, Cabernet Sauvignon
Listing completeness 9/12
Thrace · Vize, Kırklareli
Arcadia
Set among forested hills near Vize, Arcadia is one of Thrace's larger boutique estates, with extensive plantings and a calm rural setting.
Grape varieties: Narince, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Listing completeness 11/12
Thrace · Büyükkarıştıran, Lüleburgaz
Chamlija
A boutique Kırklareli producer working with both indigenous Papazkarası and a wide range of international cool-climate varieties.
Grape varieties: Papazkarası, Narince, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
Listing completeness 10/12
Central Anatolia · Akyurt (Ankara)
Kavaklıdere — Akyurt
Founded by Cenap And in 1929 in the Kavaklıdere neighbourhood of Ankara, Kavaklıdere is Turkey's first private-sector wine producer. Production moved to a modern 50-hectare complex in Akyurt in 1987; the company now operates three production facilities — Akyurt, Côtes d'Avanos (Gülşehir/Cappadocia) and Pendore (Kemaliye/Aegean).
Grape varieties: Kalecik Karası, Narince, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere
Listing completeness 9/12
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
Aegean · Kavacık (İzmir)
Koztepe Winery
A boutique family vineyard and winery in Kavacık village (Karabağlar/İzmir), founded in 2004 on 20 hectares of land that the family bought for its mountain setting. Farming is certified organic.
Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Öküzgözü, Alphonse Lavallée
Listing completeness 8/12
Denizli · Hançalar, Çal (Denizli)
Kuzubağ
A modern family winery in Hançalar village (Çal/Denizli) led by Salih and Aslı Kuzu. Vineyards have been planted since 2007; the winery building was completed in August 2021 and annual production runs to around 169,000 bottles.
Grape varieties: Çal Karası, Kalecik Karası, Acıkara, Narince
Listing completeness 9/12
Aegean · Kuşçuburun, Torbalı (İzmir)
Lucien Arkas Bağları
A roughly 117-hectare single-parcel estate in Kuşçuburun (Torbalı/İzmir), established in 2006 by Lucien Arkas — known as Turkey's largest single-block organic vineyard. Production runs from a 2,500 m² modern winery.
Grape varieties: Bornova Misketi, Narince, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere
Listing completeness 9/12
Thrace · Ahmetbey, Lüleburgaz (Kırklareli)
Prius Şarapçılık
A new boutique winery in Ahmetbey village, 750 m outside the centre of Lüleburgaz (Kırklareli). Founded in 2020 by Metin Harbalıoğlu on roughly 650 dönüm of vineyard, Prius drew attention even before opening with gold medals at the 14th Balkans International Wine Competition.
Grape varieties: Papazkarası, Kalecik Karası, Narince, Cabernet Sauvignon
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
Listing completeness 10/12
Central Anatolia · Kalecik
Vinkara
Set on the slopes above the Kızılırmak valley, Vinkara is the flagship producer of Kalecik Karası, with on-site accommodation that turns a visit into a weekend.
Grape varieties: Kalecik Karası, Narince, Boğazkere, Öküzgözü
Listing completeness 11/12
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Narince grown?
Its native home is Tokat-Niksar. Today it is also widely planted in Cappadocia, Thrace, and the high-altitude vineyards of the inner Aegean.
- What kind of wine does Narince make?
Typically bright-acid, gently aromatic dry whites. Oak-aged, fuller-bodied versions are also widely produced.
- What does Narince pair with?
Traditionally pairs well with Black Sea olive-oil dishes, fried hamsi, and the herb-laden cheeses of central Anatolia.
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