Kusadasi Wine Tasting Tour: Private Shore Excursion, Teos & 2 Wineries
Overview
Kusadasi Wine Tasting Tour: Private Shore Excursion, Teos & 2 Wineries
On this wine tour from Kusadasi Port, a single day brings together ancient history, Aegean wine and lovely countryside.
Teos, City of the Wine God
First you explore Teos, one of Turkey's oldest cities and the site of the Temple of Dionysus, built for the Greek god of wine. During the drive your guide gives you an introduction to winemaking in Turkey, so you arrive at the tastings with some background.
Two Aegean Wineries
Two of the most highly regarded wineries in the Aegean host your guided tastings. MMG Winery picks its grapes at night and makes bold wines; you try them alongside a gourmet lunch and a choice of cheeses.
Ayda Winery is known for vineyards with a backdrop of mountains, and pours wines from grapes such as Narince, Foca Karasi and Petit Verdot. Together they give you a pleasant first look at the wine culture of Turkey.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Teos, MMG Winery, Ayda Winery and Wine-Paired Lunch
Your guide is waiting at Kusadasi Port. From there it is a 1.5-hour drive to ancient Teos, and on the way you get a short introduction to wine in Turkey.
The first settlements at Teos go back as far as 1000 BC. The Temple of Dionysus stands here, honouring the Greek god of wine, a son of Zeus who plays a major role in mythology.
The first winery is MMG, where you taste four blends. MMG harvests every grape at night; this keeps the aroma intact and holds back fermentation until pressing.
Ayda Winery comes next. Relax among vineyards ringed by high mountains. A local winemaker leads a tasting of six blends with a cheese platter and explains how the wine is made. Ayda's white wines use Sauvignon Blanc and Narince grapes, and its reds use Cabernet Sauvignon, Foca Karasi, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah.
A visit to the vineyard and winery comes before a late lunch, served with a menu paired with wine. Then it is back to the port by road.
Our services end here. Thanks for choosing to travel with us, and we hope to welcome you back.
Important Notes
This tour is not open to guests under the age of 18.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Tour just for your group
- ✓Guides from the area
- ✓Private van transport
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Flight of four wines at MMG Winery
- ✓Lunch menu matched with wines
- ✓Flight of six wines at Ayda Winery
- ✓Talk from the local winemakers
- ✕Beverages Not Mentioned in the Itinerary
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Wine tasting shore trip from Kusadasi: the essentials
Starting at $300, this private day ashore from Kusadasi Port (or Izmir Port) mixes ancient history with wine from the Aegean. First you see Teos, an ancient city with a temple to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Then you taste at two well-regarded Aegean wineries: four wines at MMG Winery and six at Ayda Winery. A lunch paired with wine and a talk by local winemakers are part of the day. You also have a private guide and a private van.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 to 9 hours |
| Price | from $300 |
| Type | Private shore trip for guests 18 and older |
| Start and end | Kusadasi Port or Izmir Port |
| Included | Private guide, private van, tasting of 4 wines at MMG, tasting of 6 wines at Ayda, lunch paired with wine, talk by a winemaker |
| Not included | Other drinks, tips, personal spending |
Is Turkish wine any good?
It is, and the Aegean coast ranks among the country's key wine regions. Anatolia has been making wine for longer than almost anywhere on earth. Turkish wineries grow local grapes that are hard to find in other countries, such as Narince and Foca Karasi, as well as international varieties. The tour is an easy first look, and the tastings are led by the winemakers themselves.
How does the day unfold?
| Stop | What you do |
|---|---|
| Drive from Kusadasi | Roughly 1.5 hours to Teos, with a short talk on Turkish wine during the ride |
| Teos ancient city | The first settlements go back to about 1000 BC; the Temple of Dionysus |
| MMG Winery | Tasting of four wines; grapes picked at night; a selection of cheeses and a lunch paired with wine |
| Ayda Winery | Tasting of six wines in vineyards ringed by mountains |
| Return | Drive back to your ship |
At MMG every grape is picked at night. This keeps the aroma and holds back fermentation until pressing. At Ayda the wines you can try include Narince, Foca Karasi, Petit Verdot and others.
Should your shore day be wine or Ephesus?
| Kusadasi shore excursion | Character | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Ancient Teos, two wineries and a lunch paired with wine | $300 |
| Private Ephesus shore trip | The large Roman city and the House of the Virgin Mary | $300 |
| Ephesus with Sirince village | Ancient ruins and fruit wines in a village on a hill | $300 |
| Wine and art in Urla | Wine and art around Urla | $380 |
Wine lovers, and anyone who has been to Ephesus before, will see a whole other side of the Aegean on this tour. On a first visit where history matters most, Ephesus remains the classic pick.
Who is the tour for?
Nobody under 18 can take part. The tour is private, so it is only your group, and the pace is built around what you like and when your ship leaves. Give us your all-aboard time when you book.
Must you know a lot about wine?
No. In their talks the winemakers cover the grapes, the region and how the wine is made, and the tastings are easygoing. Keen wine drinkers will enjoy the local grapes and the chance to put questions to the makers in person.
Which season is best for a wine tour?
The cruise season, from spring through autumn, works best. In late summer and early autumn it is harvest time, and the vineyards are at their busiest and prettiest. In spring the land is green and the weather is mild.
What to pack?
Bring comfortable shoes for Teos and the vineyards, a hat, sunscreen, water and some room in your bag for any bottles you buy. Check what your cruise line allows before you bring wine on board.
How do you make a booking?
Pick the date you are in port on this page and submit the form, or send us the ship's name, the arrival time and the all-aboard time on WhatsApp. We confirm in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Looking for more? Browse our Ephesus and Kusadasi tours and our Turkey tour packages.
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