Hey! So Glad You're Here.
I am Ukrainian grafted on Turkish rootstock 13 years ago. In Turkey I fall in love not only with my husband, but also with unique local wines which I call “Rescue Wines”. Just like with stray animals, their survival is often a miracle. There is always a story and amazing people behind their rescue. Winemakers in Turkey - are incredible people. Despite all restrictions, difficulties and official prohibitions, without help they do impossible - rescue indigenous grapes from becoming history.
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And the history of the grapevine itself began in those lands - Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, recently shared between Iran, Syria, Armenia, Georgia and… Turkey. Over 1400 unique grapes, phylloxera free zones, Assyrian winemaking and 150 y.o. vines - I believe all those stories and experiences from Turkey are worth telling to the world.
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A glass of Turkish wine leads us back to the future connecting with the zero point in the history of grapevine itself. We shouldn’t let them disappear and become a zero forever. This is my main professional goal for the last few years.
Since 2015 I’ve been organizing wine tastings and wine tours in Istanbul to introduce local wines to guests from all over the world. I believe in the power of words and education. I study for DipWSET to become more professional and make my voice more powerful to support winemakers in Turkey and rescue local wines.
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I have two homes, two countries in my heart: Turkey and Ukraine. Winemaking in both these countries can disappear, due to different reasons. Despite all the amazing wines produced there, Turkey and Ukraine didn't even take a proper place on the world map of winemaking yet!
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As an ex-journalist I believe in the power of words. In 2016 my book “Basic Guide to Local Food in Istanbul”, entered the short list of Gourmand CookBook Awards. Recently I am working on the interviews with wine industry insiders in Turkey. This is my own non profit project dedicated to wine in Turkey. I believe this can help to save them from disappearing. Next series of interviews will be dedicated to wine professionals of Ukraine.
You are welcome to check my wine reviews and interviews at Stories, and you are welcome to join our wine tasting events in Istanbul and wine tours in Turkey.
You can pick one of our planned events here or order a tasting or tour just for you. I am always open for networking and cooperation.
Feel free to share your ideas and ask questions about wine in Turkey.
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Cheers!
Vasylysa YILMAZ
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My CV and LinkedIn profile for professional connections