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Welcome to Mardin, a subregion of the Turkish Southeastern Anatolia, where you’ll find a group of passionate winemakers keeping the Assyrian wine traditions alive. This area is rich in wine heritage, offering a deep connection to its historical roots. As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll be drawn in by the aromas of spices and the sounds of laughter echoing from the local cafes. And when you finally sit down to taste the wines, you’ll discover a world of flavours that are as unique as the people who create them.
Nestled in the southeastern part of Turkey, Mardin is a wine sub-region steeped in history and cultural heritage. This area is not only known for its stunning landscapes and ancient architecture but also for its rich wine production history that dates back over 2,700 years. The region’s wine culture is deeply rooted in tradition, with indigenous grape varieties that have been cultivated for centuries. These grapes are perfectly adapted to Mardin’s unique climate and soil conditions, resulting in high-quality wines that truly reflect the terroir.
In recent years, Mardin’s wine industry has seen significant growth, with many boutique winemakers emerging to produce exceptional wines. These winemakers are dedicated to preserving the traditional methods while also embracing modern techniques to enhance the quality of their wines. The result is a range of high-quality wines that showcase the unique flavours and characteristics of Mardin’s Indigenous grape varieties. Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious traveller, Mardin offers a fascinating glimpse into a wine culture that is both ancient and evolving.
For centuries, ancient winemaking techniques have been a vital part of life in Mardin. Families have passed down their techniques from generation to generation, using Indigenous grapes to create wines that are rich in both tradition and flavour. These wines were once made solely for local celebrations, but now they’ve become popular souvenirs for visitors who want to take a piece of Mardin home with them. While many winemakers still honour the old ways, some are experimenting with new techniques from Europe, allowing Mardin’s wines to evolve and reach new audiences.
As you climb the hills surrounding Mardin, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a world of vineyards benefiting from a unique microclimate. Perched at elevations of 800 to 1,200 meters, these vineyards enjoy hot days and cool nights, which helps the grapes retain their acidity and create wines that are both balanced and complex. The soils here are a mix of red clay, decomposed sandstone, and chalky clay, each contributing its own unique minerals and drainage qualities that enhance the flavours of local grape varieties like Boğazkere and Öküzgözü.
Mardin’s elevation gives it a climate that’s perfect for growing grapes. The hot, dry summers, diurnal temperature variation, and cool nights help preserve the grapes’ acidity, while the milder winters bring most of the year’s rainfall. This combination creates ideal conditions for producing grapes with intense, bold flavours that are crucial for Mardin’s distinctive wines.
The diverse soil types in Mardin add character to its wines. The decomposed sandstone provides excellent drainage, while the red clay holds moisture during the dry months. And the chalky clay adds a minerality that's hard to find elsewhere. This mix allows the vines to thrive even in the hottest conditions, drawing nutrients and water from deep in the ground.
Mardin's unique elevation and climate are perfect for native grape varieties like Boğazkere and Öküzgözü. The conditions allow Boğazkere to develop robust tannins and Öküzgözü to retain its natural acidity, resulting in wines with rich flavours and balanced profiles that are a true reflection of the land.
Like many winemakers around the world, those in Mardin face challenges from rising temperatures and prolonged droughts. While traditional dry-farming methods are still effective, the more extreme weather could require adjustments, such as adopting sustainable viticulture, to keep the vines healthy and productive.
Economic instability, high inflation, and increasing production costs are obstacles for Mardin’s small winemakers, many of whom depend on tourism for income. But the unique appeal of Mardin’s Assyrian wines offers opportunities, especially as more visitors seek out local, artisanal products that tell a story. This growing interest in wine tourism can significantly boost the local economy.
Despite the challenges, Mardin’s winemakers are finding creative ways to reach new audiences and maintain this cherished tradition, including the adoption of organic winemaking. Some are embracing sustainability, blending traditional techniques with eco-friendly practices. Others are experimenting with new grape varieties and winemaking styles. All are working to overcome obstacles, from government restrictions on alcohol advertising to the high cost of production materials. But through it all, they remain committed to preserving the legacy of Mardin’s wines and sharing them with the world.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
Mardin’s landscape is a captivating fusion of rugged terrain, vineyard landscapes, and historical architecture, creating a unique charm that defines the city.
Situated on a rocky hill, Mardin provides a stunning view of the vast Mesopotamian plains that extend toward the Tigris River. The city’s traditional stone buildings form terraced layers that descend the slopes, crafted from distinctive beige limestone quarried locally for centuries. This stone contributes to Mardin’s warm, earthy appearance. At the hill’s summit, Mardin Castle stands as a timeless fortress, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Exploring Mardin is akin to wandering through an open-air museum. Narrow alleyways and arched passages connect a diverse array of mosques, monasteries, and churches, each one a testament to the city’s rich religious and cultural history. Iconic sites such as the Deyrulzafaran Monastery and the Zinciriye Madrasah showcase intricate carvings, ribbed domes, and minarets, reflecting centuries of varied influences. The architecture seamlessly integrates with the rocky landscape, making optimal use of the steep slopes while enhancing the ancient city’s visual drama.
The climatic conditions of Mardin are a fascinating interplay between hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, creating a unique pattern that is particularly well-suited for certain agricultural practices. During the peak of summer in July and August, temperatures can soar to around 40°C (104°F), while rainfall becomes a rare occurrence. This dry period is actually beneficial for grapes, as the intense heat helps to concentrate the sugars in the fruit, giving wines from the region a distinctive depth and richness that sets them apart.
In contrast, winter in Mardin is a much cooler affair, with temperatures dropping to a range of 1-7°C (34-45°F) and the occasional snowfall. The majority of the annual rainfall, which amounts to around 400-600 mm, occurs during November to March, providing the soil with a vital supply of water. This seasonal rainfall is essential for sustaining the ecosystem through the spring months, helping to prepare the vines for the challenges of the intense summer heat that lies ahead.
These pronounced seasonal variations are a key factor in shaping the unique terroir of Mardin’s vineyards. The specific combination of climate, soil, and topography found in this region gives the wines produced here a distinct character that distinguishes them from those of other areas.
The unique terroir of the Mardin subregion is greatly influenced by its diverse soil profiles, each playing a crucial role in the cultivation and character of the wines produced here.
Mardin’s wine subregion is a captivating destination that offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and high-quality wines. The region’s indigenous grape varieties and unique terroir create truly one-of-a-kind wines. Visitors to Mardin can immerse themselves in the local wine culture through wine tastings and vineyard tours, gaining insight into the traditional winemaking process and the modern innovations shaping the industry.
Whether you’re exploring the narrow streets of Mardin, savouring a glass of robust Boğazkere, or enjoying a refreshing sip of Kalecik Karası, the region offers a sensory experience that is both enriching and unforgettable. With its blend of ancient traditions and contemporary winemaking, Mardin stands out as a must-visit destination for anyone passionate about wine production and the stories behind each bottle.
Mardin is a treasure trove of indigenous grape varieties, each contributing to the region’s distinctive wine profile. Among the most notable are Öküzgözü, Boğazkere, and Kalecik Karası. These grapes are not only well-suited to Mardin’s climate and soil but also play a crucial role in the region’s wine culture.
These indigenous grape varieties are integral to Mardin’s wine culture, offering a unique taste of the region’s terroir. They are celebrated for their ability to produce wines that are both distinctive and reflective of Mardin’s rich winemaking heritage.
In the heart of Mardin, thrives a wide range of grape varieties. From the local grapes Boğazkere and Öküzgözü to international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, each grape has found its place in this unique terroir. In addition, some white grapes, like Chardonnay, are finding their own spot within Mardin.
Tannat: Tannat is another variety that thrives in Mardin's unique climate. It appreciates the warm days and cool nights, which help develop its rich tannins and deep colour.
Chardonnay: Chardonnay may be less common in Mardin, but it’s found its niche in some of the region’s vineyards. It prefers a bit more moderate heat, which is where Mardin’s cool nights come in handy. Chardonnay is happiest in soils that hold a bit of moisture, like alluvial soils, and it loves the mineral content that limestone brings to the party. To keep it from getting too stressed out in the heat, careful irrigation is key during the hottest months. But with a little TLC, Chardonnay can produce some stunning wines in this unique terroir.
Viognier is another white grape variety that thrives in Mardin's unique climate. It is known for its aromatic and full-bodied wines.
Mardin is known for its unique wines influenced by Assyrian traditions. Despite not focusing on fine wines from international grapes like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir, the region produces both robust red wines and crisp white wines from Turkish grape varieties.
Merlot is another popular red wine known for its soft, velvety texture and rich flavours of plum and black cherry.
Assyrian winemaking in Mardin follows traditional methods passed down through generations. The process involves hand-harvesting indigenous grapes from small, family-owned Turkish vineyards and gardens. Grape stomping is a key aspect of the winemaking process, where grapes are crushed in burlap sacks or large vats to extract the juice. The grape juice then undergoes natural oxidation, often in the sun, which adds depth to the flavour profile.
Many Assyrian winemakers use ancient, unmodified grape varieties that have been preserved in family gardens or monasteries. The use of these indigenous grapes and the semi-drying of grapes under the sun before processing contributes to the complexity of the wines. The Shiluh winery, for example, combines traditional techniques with minimal intervention to maintain the authenticity of the wines while making slight modern adaptations to appeal to a broader audience.
Assyrian winemakers like Gabriel Cili have also adapted European winemaking techniques to improve consistency while preserving the essence of Assyrian heritage. This approach demonstrates the resilience of Assyrian wine culture despite historical challenges and cultural pressures in the region.
The heart of Mardin and the nearby town of Midyat are the primary areas for exploring the region’s famous wine routes and wine culture. Both locations offer beautiful landscapes and rich cultural experiences.
Visitors can participate in wine festivals and wine tastings at local wineries, many of which are family-run. These tastings provide an opportunity to learn about Assyrian winemaking techniques and savour local flavours.
Gastronomy in Mardin often features wines paired with regional dishes such as lamb kebabs, spiced meat stews, and mezze. Bold red wines like Boğazkere pair well with hearty dishes, while lighter white wines like Kabarcık complement salads and cheese plates.
Mardin offers various accommodation options, including wine lodges, traditional inns, and boutique hotels like the Zinciriye Hotel. These establishments provide comfort and immersion in the region’s ancient ambiance, often located near vineyards and tasting venues.
Do you want to explore this historical Turkish wine gem? Fortunately, there are many boutique wineries and wine estates that have stepped on tradition and offer not only wine tastings but also vineyard tours. These are some of the best wineries of Mardin:
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