Bozcaada and wine are inseparable and it is impossible to discuss one without including the other. The tradition of viticulture and wine making go back centuries and to this day wine production continues to be one of the main contributors to the local economy.

With approximately half of the island dedicated to the cultivation of vines, Bozcaada's interior, as you would expect, is carpetted with vineyards. 

Many of the smaller vineyards are owned by local families and private individuals who are accomplished wine makers in themselves but the vast majority are owned by the well established, privately owned companies Talay, Corvus, Yunatcilar and Ataol, all of which have small wineries on the island.  Yunatcilar, which markets it's wine under the Camlibag label, was the first Turkish-owned winery to be founded on the island in 1925. 

Several indigenous grape varieties namely Vasilaki for the production of white wine and Karasakiz (Kuntra) and Karalahna for red predominate.  However, over recent years, international grape varieties such as Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have been introduced to the island as well.  Cavus, traditionally a delicious and flavoursome table grape, is also grown here and recent developments at Corvus have seen it successsfully adapted in the production of an extremely palatable white wine.

Using state-of-the-art technology and with considerable investment in the latest research and development the wine produced here is of exceptional quality.    A new wave of excellent wines are emerging that before too long will rightfully earn international recognition.

All of the wineries are usually open to the public without an appointment and the owners will be pleased to show you around and invite you to sample their wine.  You can purchase wine from the wineries own shops in the town and of course they are also available in all the restaurants.  You also have the opportunity to try some of the superb wines during the Wine Tasting Festival which is held annually towards the end of June.