Elazığ Wine

Heartland of Turkey's Öküzgözü grape, the basis of many of the country's best reds

Few people associate Turkish wine with Elazığ, but the region is the historic centre of Anatolian winemaking. The native Öküzgözü grape grows in the volcanic soil around the city and is the backbone of many of Turkey's best red blends, often combined with Boğazkere from neighbouring Diyarbakır.

The main producer is Kayra, whose winery sits on the outskirts of the city. Tours and tastings can be arranged through the visitor centre; the basic Öküzgözü is widely available in restaurants and worth ordering if you see it.

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The Öküzgözü grape — literally 'bull's eye' for its dark, round berries — is native to the Elazığ region and is the most widely planted red variety in Turkey. The local big producer, Kayra, has been making wine here since 1942, in a tradition that long predates the Republic.

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