And a good time was had by all just about sums up the first meeting of the new season, when 45 members gathered at Roy and Caroline’s place in Eşen, near Patara. 

This brave couple acquired 3,500 sq.m. of blank land in 2004 and have now transformed it into a very desirable residence with a long sloping orchard containing no less than 100 fruit trees.  They have worked extremely hard to establish their garden and orchard, and are to be congratulated on all their efforts.

After a picnic lunch we all got back on the coach and, following a few wrong turnings, found ourselves at Lykia Wines where a vineyard was established in 2003 with no less than 30,000 vines imported from France. 

{mosimage}One of the owners, Fatin Ergen, took us all up on the roof of their newly completed Visitor Centre, and delivered a brief history of the vineyard from that vantage point.  Then it was down to the cellar for tasting and, of course, some members couldn’t resist buying. 

They produce only one heavy red wine, a blend of five classic French grapes, which is currently made in Ankara at their Kalecik winery – they have yet to get permission to build the necessary processing plant on site.  The good news is the wine is made under the watchful eye of a French expert and the results are excellent. 

They hope to open their Visitor Centre next year and hold regular tastings – so watch this space.  We’ll be sure to let you know when they are open to the public.