Our Story

When Ayda KalelioÄŸlu and her husband UÄŸur KalelioÄŸlu, got tired of the city life, they began their search for a calmer and quieter life. This search lead them to Urla, in 1998, where they decided to start their life a new, this time intertwined with nature, as they had long dreamed of. In 2003, they took the first step to establish the winery they had dreamt of in their university years, by buying their first vineyard. Together with their friends, though amateurly, they produced their first wines in that vineyard. Her passion for perfection in everything she produces, lead Ayda KalelioÄŸlu to where wine production is at its best, equipped with the support of her family, friends and loved ones.
First, she attended a certificate program in France. Then, she was accepted for a master’s program in Universite’ Touluse III – Paul Sabatier, where only 25 students are admitted every year. Right after her return to the country as a certified oenologist, her 2012 production of Cabernet Sauvignon –Merlot 2012 coupage succeeded in being selected as one of the best wines in Turkey in the “2013 Master of Wine Weekend” in Istanbul.​In 2015, Ayda Winery & Vineyards was established on a land which has a very special geological structure. Ayda Winery & Vineyards became the meeting point of friendship, harmony, flavor and labor. In this Vineyard built together with friends, 7 different varieties of grapes are grown; Sauvignon Blanc, Narince (Native Variety) as white grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon, Foça Karası (Native Variety), Petit Verdot, Merlot and Syrah as red grapes. It is possible to tour around the vineyard, taste the wines, have informative presentations about the production procedure and enjoy the stunning view accompanying your tasty wine–compatible menus, prepared at the restaurant.​
Ayda Winery & Vineyards, which is located near Gödence village, stands in the middle of a valley surrounded by high mountains, besides being at a quiet sloping land. Vineyard is planted on terraces in the north-south direction with a spacing between lines of 1,5m and spacing between vine-stocks of 1m. The texture of the soil is sandy, clayey and stony while the pH value is 6 on average. While this structure also known as sandstone is mineral-rich, it also has the ability to hold water thanks to its structure. Therefore, this structure allows the roots to go tens of meters down deeper underground to reach the water and rich mineral structure with sufficient nutrients.​Production at Ayda Winery & Vineyards began in 2016. Wines are produced with the “vinification integral” method. This method yields beautiful results for old-world style wines and today, it is used very rarely by unique winemakers in their high-end products. In this method, all fermentation, maceration and malolactic fermentation stages occur in oak barrels. All wines produced are Vegan certified and do not include any animal products. (egg white, gelatin, etc)

