Meet your guide at your central hotel in Istanbul and hop aboard an air-conditioned coach for your full-day wine tour in the Kirklareli region. As you voyage to the center of historical Thrace, listen as your guide sets the mood and delves into the wine heritage of this region. Hear about the Thracians who paved the way for wine, cultivating grape vines as early as the 2nd century AD.
Arrive at Poyrali after about two hours and step outside to enjoy a walk around this quiet village. Continue from here to the renown Chamlija Winery set in the Strandja mountains at an elevation of 2,790 feet (850 meters). Gaze over stunning mountain views and enjoy your first wine tastes that include varietals such as pinot noir and reisling.
Afterward, take a short drive through an old Thracian wine corridor that's separated by the Aegean Sea and Kirklareli and discover the quaint winery of Vino Dessera. Sip on delicious varietals here such as its famous Sauvignon Cris, a velvty version of a Sauvignon Blanc. Then, rest for a bit and savor a wholesome lunch that includes all the wine you can drink. For the sample menu check out the Itinerary.
Following your meal and the buzz of wine, voyage to the village of Cesmeli and enter the nearby Chateau Nuzun winery. Learn about the aging of these organic wines in French oak barrels and other production techniques as you capture charming hillside and vineyard views. Then, learn a bit from your expert guide on how to judge wine as you tip back your glass and enjoy signature flavors of zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and merlot.
Finally, leave your last winery and return to your hotel in Istanbul where your tour ends.
