Urla, İzmir, Türkiye — May 7–9, 2026
The members of the Urla Bağ Yolu Association gathered once again this May for the second edition of the International Bornova Misketi Event, held over three days in Bornova and Urla, İzmir. Titled “In Pursuit of Bornova Misketi: History, Terroir, Style and Table” and brought to life through the collaboration of Seray Kumbasar and the producers of Urla Bağ Yolu, the event wove together the ancient story told by 5,000-year-old carbonized grape seeds unearthed at the Yassıtepe Höyüğü mound with the science and gastronomy of today.
The programme opened with a first for Türkiye: a nine-course tasting menu paired entirely with Bornova Misketi across its dry, semi-dry, sparkling and sweet styles, showing the grape’s elegance and structure alongside even the most complex flavours. The following day turned to the roots of the region’s viticultural heritage, with archaeological work led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zafer Derin — supported by Bornova Municipality’s museum bringing İzmir’s ancient past to the city — set alongside a technical panel on the volatile organic compounds behind Bornova Misketi’s floral character. Moderated by Turgut Tokgöz with Isa Bal, Prof. Dr. Daniela Fracassetti and Antoine Bastide D’Izard, the panel explored how monoterpenes such as linalool, geraniol and nerol relate to terroir and microclimate, and how skin contact and vinification choices shape aromatic intensity. A further session on Urla’s terroir and producer vision, moderated by Seray Kumbasar, brought together Michelin-starred chefs Maksut Aşkar, Osman Sezener and Ozan Kumbasar with sommeliers Ersin Topkara and Sarp Denizgüler. The event closed with a border-crossing tasting at Çakır Winery, guided by Levon Bağış, placing Bornova Misketi alongside its relatives from wine regions around the world.
Reflecting on this second edition, the organisers noted that the goal remains to secure Bornova Misketi’s rightful place in global wine literature and fine gastronomy. Over three days, archaeologists, academics, oenologists, producers, chefs and sommeliers were reminded that Bornova Misketi is far more than a grape variety — it is a cultural bridge connecting the Aegean’s ancient past to its future. As the organisers put it: “With our enduring respect for the land, we will continue carrying this ancient heritage into the future.”
Source: Press release, Urla Bağ Yolu Association, International Bornova Misketi Event 2026.