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.
Central Anatolia · Kalecik (Ankara)
A boutique winery in central Kalecik (Ankara), set near the old railway station — also known as **Chateau Kalecik**. The estate runs 15 hectares with a 2,500 m² cellar and an annual capacity of two million bottles.
Grape varieties: Kalecik Karası, Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, Cabernet Sauvignon
Central Anatolia · Akyurt (Ankara)
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
Central Anatolia · Kalecik (Ankara)
A boutique winery in Kalecik (Ankara) founded by agricultural engineers Fatma Yiğit and Alime Cicerali, who started a small vineyard in 2003 and turned it into a commercial operation in 2019. Capacity is around 5,000 litres a year, processing roughly 3,700 kg of grapes.
Grape varieties: Kalecik Karası
Central Anatolia · Kalecik (Ankara)
A boutique vineyard and winery in Kalecik (Ankara), born of a lifetime of viticultural work by Prof. Dr. Y. Sabit Ağaoğlu. The 10-hectare estate is planted exclusively to Kalecik Karası.
Grape varieties: Kalecik Karası
Central Anatolia · Kalecik
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
Kalecik is about 80 km north-east of Ankara — a 1–1.5 hour drive. Intercity buses run directly to Kalecik town centre; from there, taxis or winery transfers cover the last leg to individual estates.
Its native home is the district of Kalecik in Ankara province, along the Kızılırmak river valley. The grape's signature aromatic profile comes from the calcareous, high-altitude terraces. It is also planted in Cappadocia and the inner Aegean.
May–June and September–October are ideal. Harvest begins in the second half of September. Winters are harsh and most vineyards close to visitors between November and March.
Yes. Leaving Ankara in the morning, you can reach Kalecik by midday, visit one or two estates, and return the same evening. A weekend trip is recommended if you want to cover multiple stops along the Kızılırmak valley.
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Vitikultur