4 Nights / 5 Days ~ Into Cappadocia
Ancient Vines & Otherworldly Landscapes
Few places on earth are quite like Cappadocia.
Shaped by volcanic eruptions and centuries of erosion, its surreal landscape of towering fairy chimneys, sculpted valleys, and underground cities feels almost otherworldly. Yet beyond its extraordinary natural beauty lies another fascinating story: a winemaking tradition stretching back thousands of years.
For those wishing to continue the adventure, our Turkish Wine Odyssey concludes with three extraordinary nights in Cappadocia.
A land of ancient vineyards, fantastical rock formations, hidden valleys, and centuries-old cave dwellings
Over three days, we'll explore this remarkable region with our private guide, discovering Byzantine churches carved into the rock, wandering through ancient villages, and visiting some of Cappadocia’s most celebrated wineries.
At Turasan and Kocabağ, we'll taste wines made from indigenous Turkish grape varieties, discovering how the region's volcanic soils, high-altitude vineyards, and distinctive climate contribute to wines unlike those found elsewhere in the country.
Along the way, we'll explore the frescoed churches of Göreme, the extraordinary underground city of Derinkuyu, and the dramatic landscapes of Ihlara Valley, where centuries of history are etched into the stone.
It's a fitting finale to our Turkish Wine Odyssey: a chance to venture deeper into Anatolia, discover another side of Turkish wine culture, and experience one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes.
The Experience
1 final night in Alacati + 3 nights in an exquisite Cappadocian hotel
Private guided exploration of Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, ancient villages, and spectacular valleys
Tastings at Turasan and Kocabağ wineries
The UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum and its Byzantine frescoes
The remarkable underground city of Derinkuyu
A scenic walk through Ihlara Valley and a visit to Selime Monastery
Private guiding throughout the journey
The Route
Day 1 — An Evening in Alacati
After a day of exploration, we return to the charming streets of Alaçatı, where the evening brings a different rhythm to this beautiful Aegean town. As the sun sets, its cobblestone lanes come alive with bustling cafés, intimate restaurants, and inviting wine bars. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, whether lingering over a glass of local wine, discovering a tucked-away restaurant, or simply soaking up the atmosphere before returning to the peaceful gardens of Alavya.
Day 2 — Cave Villages, Fairy Chimneys & Ancient Landscapes
Our journey continues into the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia, where centuries of history are carved into soft volcanic stone. We'll explore the ancient cave village of Çavuşin, wander among the towering fairy chimneys of Paşabağ, and discover the abandoned rock-cut settlement of Zelve, once home to thriving communities and Byzantine monasteries.
As the day draws to a close, we'll settle into Argos in Cappadocia, a beautifully restored collection of historic stone houses and cave dwellings overlooking the region's spectacular valleys.
Day 3 — Göreme, Hidden Valleys & Turasan Winery
Today we'll discover Cappadocia's remarkable artistic and winemaking heritage. At the UNESCO-listed Göreme Open-Air Museum, centuries-old Byzantine frescoes adorn churches carved directly into the rock. We'll continue through valleys of pink, ochre, and ivory stone, where the landscape takes on an almost dreamlike quality.
Our afternoon brings us to Turasan, one of the region's established wineries, where we'll taste distinctive Turkish wines and discover how Cappadocia's volcanic soils and high-altitude climate shape its indigenous grape varieties.
Day 4 — Underground Cities, Ihlara Valley & Kocabağ Winery
We'll venture beneath the surface of Cappadocia to explore Derinkuyu, an extraordinary underground city where generations once sought refuge in a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers.
From here, we'll travel to the beautiful Ihlara Valley, following the river past ancient rock-cut churches before visiting the dramatic Selime Monastery and the historic stone village of Güzelyurt.
Our final afternoon takes us to Kocabağ Winery, where we'll raise a glass to Cappadocia's ancient winemaking traditions and the remarkable landscapes that give its wines their distinctive character.
Day 5 — Farewell from Cappadocia
After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport for their onward flight.
This marks the end of a journey through Türkiye’s ancient cities, sacred landscapes, boutique vineyards, regional flavors and living cultural traditions.
The Vineyards
TURASAN WINERY
Ürgüp, Cappadocia
Cappadocia's dramatic volcanic landscape produces some of Turkey's most distinctive wines. Founded in 1943, family-owned Turasan Winery has spent three generations perfecting the art of winemaking in this extraordinary region, where mineral-rich volcanic soils and high-altitude vineyards lend the wines their remarkable character.
Particularly celebrated for its indigenous Emir grape, Turasan produces beautifully crisp, elegant whites with notes of citrus, green apple, and delicate florals, alongside expressive reds ranging from silky, red-fruit-driven Kalecik Karası to richer, more structured varieties with hints of dark berries and spice. During our visit, we'll explore this fascinating winemaking heritage and taste wines that capture the unique terroir of Cappadocia, where ancient traditions meet contemporary craftsmanship.
KOCABAĞ
Uçhisar, Cappadocia
Carved into the extraordinary volcanic landscape of Cappadocia, Kocabağ is one of the region's most celebrated boutique wineries. Founded in 1972, this family-owned estate combines generations of winemaking expertise with a remarkable setting, where twelve enormous fermentation and maturation tanks have been carved directly into the volcanic rock, creating naturally cool conditions for winemaking.
Known for its elegant, mineral-driven wines, Kocabağ specializes in indigenous Anatolian grape varieties that thrive in Cappadocia's high-altitude vineyards. Its signature Emir white is beautifully crisp and refreshing, with delicate citrus notes and a distinctive mineral finish, while its Kalecik Karası offers silky tannins and bright red-fruit character. Richer reds crafted from Öküzgözü and Boğazkere reveal layers of dark fruit, spice, and complexity. A tasting here offers an intimate introduction to Turkey's remarkable wine heritage, where ancient traditions, exceptional terroir, and generations of craftsmanship come together in every glass.
Where We’ll Stay
Where we sleep is as much a part of this journey as where we go.
Our journey begins at Alayva in Alaçatı, an intimate boutique hotel tucked among the cobbled lanes and historic stone houses of this charming Aegean village. With its peaceful courtyards, lush gardens and relaxed elegance, Alayva captures the easy rhythm of life on Turkey’s western coast.
From the Aegean, we travel to the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia, where we’ll settle into Argos in Cappadocia, a remarkable collection of ancient cave dwellings, stone houses and historic buildings carved into the hillside beneath Uçhisar Castle. Beautifully restored, with hidden courtyards, winding passageways and terraces overlooking Pigeon Valley, Argos is as much a destination as the region itself.
Alayva | Alaçatı
Tucked along the cobblestone streets of Alaçatı, Alayva is an intimate boutique hotel that captures the effortless charm of Turkey’s Aegean coast. Housed in beautifully restored stone buildings, the hotel combines traditional architecture with understated contemporary elegance. Lush gardens, secluded courtyards and inviting spaces to linger create the feeling of a private Mediterranean hideaway. Just steps from the village’s lively cafés, boutiques and restaurants, Alayva offers a peaceful retreat from which to enjoy the unhurried rhythms of Alaçatı.
Argos in Cappadocia | Uçhisar
Carved into the ancient hillside beneath Uçhisar Castle, Argos in Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary hotels. An intricate collection of restored cave dwellings, historic stone houses and centuries-old passageways, the property unfolds across a series of secluded courtyards, terraces and gardens overlooking the spectacular Pigeon Valley. Each room is individually designed, blending the rugged beauty of Cappadocia’s volcanic stone with refined contemporary comforts. With its atmospheric wine cellar, exceptional dining and sweeping views across a landscape unlike anywhere else on earth, Argos offers a rare combination of history, intimacy and quiet luxury.
Meet Your Wine Educator
Joanne Close is the founder and director of Wine Educate and the instructor for the Level 3 Award in Wines. Having worked in the wine business for the last 24 years, she has experienced a wide range of roles, from wholesale sales rep and brand manager for her family’s vineyard, Chateau Camplazens, to retail sales for a large chain and now owning a specialty wine shop, The Independent. In every wine experience, education was always her favorite part, and she now feels extraordinarily lucky to teach wine classes as a profession. She received her WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits in 2006 and has been operating a WSET APP in New Orleans since 2020.
Wine Educate is a New Orleans–based wine school and WSET Approved Program Provider, offering internationally recognized education in wine, spirits, beer and sake.
Founded by wine educator Joanne Close, Wine Educate believes the best way to understand wine is not simply by studying what’s in the glass, but by understanding where it comes from—the land, history, culture and people behind it.
That philosophy takes Wine Educate well beyond the classroom, with immersive, educator-led journeys through the world’s great and lesser-known wine regions. In Turkey, Joanne will lead us through a wine culture thousands of years in the making, introducing us to indigenous grapes, local winemakers and the extraordinary landscapes that have shaped wine here since antiquity.
Consider her our guide to drinking our way through history.
What’s Included
Accommodation
Four nights in a thoughtfully curated collection of intimate boutique hotels, each chosen for its distinctive character, beautiful surroundings and warm hospitality.
Wine
Private and curated wine experiences across Cappadocia’s most distinctive growing regions, including cellar visits, vineyard tastings and introductions to indigenous Turkish grapes.
Culture & Archaeology
Privately guided explorations of Cappadocia’s extraordinary cultural and archaeological treasures, from the ancient cave dwellings of Çavuşin and the towering fairy chimneys of Paşabağları to the rock-cut churches and Byzantine frescoes of Göreme and Zelve. Discover the remarkable underground city of Derinkuyu, the dramatic beauty of Ihlara Valley, the ancient Selime Monastery and the historic stone village of Güzelyurt, uncovering centuries of history, faith and ingenuity carved into Cappadocia’s volcanic landscape.
Food & Local Encounters
Daily breakfast, lunches, scheduled wine tastings, and a final dinner in Cappadocia.
Transportation & Guiding
Private transportation throughout the journey, internal flights from Izmir to Cappadocia, Cappadocia to Istanbul, airport transfers as specified, professional guiding, entrance fees and local destination support.
Not Included
International flights
Meals not specified in the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages outside of tastings specified in the itinerary
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel, and waitstaff
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Optional spa, hammam, hot air balloon ride, or upgraded experiences
| Journey Investment | (Per Person) | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Room | $5,680 | ||
| Private Room | $6,880 |
Payment Schedule -$1750 non-refundable deposit due within 7 days of booking. 2nd Payment due January 15th, 2027. Balances due March 15th, 2027.
Contact Us
For questions or to reserve your spot, please contact us at either:
joanne@wineeducate.com
thecuratedpassenger@gmail.com
+ 1 323.608.8553
We’re happy to help with room selection, itinerary details, or any special requests.