Gökçeada (Imbros) Local Products: Wine, Olive Oil, Honey & Organic Shopping Guide

Visitors leaving Gökçeada always carry the same things in their bags: olive oil, honey, goat cheese, and perhaps a bottle of island wine. These products are no coincidence—they carry the island's identity, a legacy of thousands of years. As a Cittaslow (Slow City), Gökçeada is a pioneer in organic farming in Turkey, with 165 producers and 18 beekeepers practicing sustainable agriculture across 7,175 decares.

Ladolia Olive Oil: Found Only in Gökçeada in Turkey

When it comes to olives, Gökçeada has a unique privilege: the Ladolia (Koroneiki) variety grows only on this island in Turkey. Brought to the island about 250 years ago, these small, round olives are considered among the world's highest quality oil olives.

Of the island's total 7,600 decares of olive groves, 5,600 decares are Ladolia orchards. The vast majority of approximately 120,000 olive trees are fed entirely by rainwater, with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers used. No chemical treatments are applied against olive flies either—this is the main reason the olive oil maintains its organic status.

Annual production figures are impressive: an average of 3,000 tons of olives and 600 tons of olive oil (economic value around 210 million TL). However, olives naturally go through "on-year" and "off-year" cycles; in on-years, oil production reaches 400 tons, while in off-years it drops significantly. If your budget allows, buying during an on-year offers a chance to stock up on quality olive oil.

Harvested olives are immediately transported to the mill; the shorter the waiting time, the lower the oil's acidity and the stronger its aroma. This process maintains Gökçeada olive oil's certified quality.

Where to Buy

• Ada Rüzgarı (Center) — everything from olives to soap; the most recommended shop on TripAdvisor
• Elta-Ada Store (Fatih Mah. İnönü Cad. No:12) — organic certified, direct farm products
• Nusretbey Tasting House (Center) — olive oil alongside wine tasting
• Local Market (Semt Pazarı) (Every Sunday, Çınarlı Neighborhood) — direct from producers
• Online: adaruzgari.com, elta-ada.com.tr

Price Range (2025)

• 1 liter tin: 400-600 TL
• 5 liter tin: 1,500-2,500 TL

Gökçeada Wine: A Legacy from 2900 BC

Viticulture on Gökçeada dates back to 2900 BC, making the island one of the oldest wine-producing centers in human history. This centuries-old tradition keeps both endemic grape varieties and traditional production techniques alive today.

Three endemic grape varieties form the basis of production:

• Kalabaki: White variety. Light and aromatic; pairs perfectly with fish and seafood.
• Vasilaki: Red variety. Soft tannins and floral aroma make it an easy-drinking wine.
• Mavropali: Red variety. More intense and structured; pairs with strong flavors like roasted kid goat.

Alongside these endemic varieties, international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, and Chardonnay are also grown; however, the island's true identity comes from its native grapes.

Notable Producers

Nusretbey Wines (founded in 2000): Turkey's first organic grape grower. Over 40 grape varieties are cultivated in the 600-decare Kabya Vineyards. Gravity-assisted production on sloping terrain at 300 meters altitude allows the grapes to flow naturally without pumping. Besides wine, they also sell olive oil, honey, almonds, thyme, and lavender. The tasting house is open to visitors, offering a scenic wine-tasting experience.

Tini Bağcılık Şarapçılık: Produces natural wine at home-wine quality using century-old island techniques. Available for purchase from the cellar in the center and the natural products house. This small-batch producer avoids mass production, preserving the island's unadulterated taste.

İmroz Nympha: A boutique producer focused on organic and biodynamic viticulture. The biodynamic method, which considers the lunar calendar and natural forces, gives the wine a special character.

İmroz Şarap Evi: Active on Instagram (@imrozsarapevi), this boutique producer adds a new voice to the island's wine culture.

Purchase and Tasting

• Nusretbey Tasting House — wine tasting + organic product shopping, scenic setting
• Tini Cellar (Center) — natural island wine, cellar atmosphere
• Local Market (Semt Pazarı) — some producers set up stalls during the season
• Online: nusretbey.com

Price Range (2025)

• Island wine bottle: 300-800 TL (varies by boutique producer)

Gökçeada Honey: A Registered Ecotype

The Gökçeada bee is no ordinary bee. Registered as an ecotype by the Ministry of Agriculture, this bee breed is the product of thousands of years of adaptation to the island's windy climate. It stands out from other breeds with its resistance to the constant Aegean winds and high reproduction rate.

Currently, there are about 2,500 bee colonies on the island; the target under the Gökçeada Agricultural Development Project is to increase this number to 5,000.

Gökçeada honey is produced in two main categories:

• Flower Honey (Vitex + Thyme): Made from the combined processing of vitex flowers and wild thyme. It offers a light yellow color, floral and mildly aromatic taste profile.
• Forest Honey (Marmaros Pine + Thyme): The thyme aroma combined with secretion collected from the island's pine forests yields a darker, stronger honey with dominant mineral notes. Check out the Marmaros area for forest honey.

Notable Producers

Timo Organic Honey: Production compliant with organic farming regulations. Produces honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Inspected by independent certification bodies.

Gökhan's Honey Farm (Eski Bademli): Open to visitors; farm tours available. Produces pine and thyme honey; an ideal stop for those seeking a "farm-to-table" experience.

Where to Buy

• Ada Rüzgarı Natural Products (Center)
• Nusretbey Tasting House (honey also available alongside wine)
• Local Market (Sundays, Çınarlı Neighborhood)
• Direct sales at the farm in Eski Bademli

Price Range (2025)

• Organic thyme honey: 1 kg 500-900 TL

Organic Goat Cheese: ECOCERT-IMO Certified

Gökçeada goat cheese is in a different category from any goat cheese you see on the shelf. The island's main producers hold international ECOCERT-IMO organic certification, meaning compliance with European organic farming standards is independently verified.

The cheeses are made from 100% Saanen goat milk. The Saanen breed is a high-yield dairy goat, raised on the island's pure air and natural pastures.

Cheese Varieties

• Fresh cheese and whey cheese (lor): The lightest; used in salads and mezes.
• Basket cheese (sepet peyniri): Molded using traditional methods; available plain or with thyme and black cumin.
• Aged goat cheese (keçi kaşarı): Matured; strong aromatic taste profile. Some producers also make a goat-cow mix version.
• Daily products: Milk, kefir, yogurt, strained yogurt, butter, clotted cream (kaymak).

Notable Producers

Ekozey (Happy Goats Farm): 100% Saanen organic goat milk. Daily milk, kefir, yogurt, strained yogurt, butter, clotted cream, fresh cheese, and aged cheese group. Available online at ekozey.com.tr.

Saklı Cennet: Black cumin basket cheese, thyme basket cheese, village-style goat cheese, whey cheese, aged cheese (goat-cow mix). Orders taken at saklicennet.com.tr.

Elta-Ada: Turkey's first organic certified pasteurized milk, yogurt, and cheese producer. Cows, goats, and sheep are raised together on 3,100 decares of land. They also grow their own feed crops (alfalfa, vetch, silage corn, oats, barley). The farm is open to visitors.

Where to Buy

• Elta-Ada Store (Fatih Mah. İnönü Cad. No:12)
• Ada Rüzgarı (Center)
• Local Market (Semt Pazarı)
• Online: ekozey.com.tr, saklicennet.com.tr, elta-ada.com.tr

Price Range (2025)

• Goat cheese: 500 gr 200-400 TL

Eppek: Sourdough Bread from Heritage Wheat

In the last century, when modern agriculture promoted standard wheat varieties, an initiative on Gökçeada set out to preserve heritage seeds. Eppek, founded in 2019 by Burak Soykan after he studied organic farming in Austria, cultivates 6 different heritage wheat varieties on 200 hectares (in Gökçeada and Edremit):

• Kafkas Kızılı
• Çalıbasan
• Karakılçık
• Kızılca
• Şahman
• Zerun

The harvested wheat is stone-ground into whole wheat flour; the dough is prepared using only wheat, drinking water, and rock salt, with a long cold fermentation. This method alters the gluten structure; some individuals with sensitivity to modern wheat report that heritage wheat bread is easier to digest.

Eppek products can be ordered online at eppek.net; they are also available in some organic markets in Istanbul.

Other Notable Local Products

Island Thyme and Aromatic Herbs

Thyme, which grows on the mountain slopes and forested areas of Gökçeada, is the key aromatic plant defining the flavor of honey and olive oil. Dried thyme, mint, bay leaves, and wild sage are sold in bundles or bags at the local market and local shops.

Organic Artichoke

Gökçeada's Roman artichoke variety is harvested fresh, especially in spring. It is cooked with olive oil and also available dried or pickled.

Aronia

This fruit, high in antioxidant value, is among the island's cold-season products. Processed into marmalade, dried fruit, and juice, it can be found in local shops.

Handmade Olive Oil Soaps

��mroza Soap Workshop in Kaleköy transforms Gökçeada olive oil into soap and natural oils. Among the most popular gift items, they produce handmade soaps and body oils in various scents.

Efibadem Almond Cookies

Traditional cookies made from almonds harvested from the island's orchards. Efibadem / Meydanı Pastanesi is the island's only pastry shop; these cookies are frequently shared on social media as Gökçeada's "signature" product. Boxed versions make great gifts to take home.

Market and Shopping Guide

Local Market (Every Sunday, Çınarlı Neighborhood)

This weekly market in the center is the island's liveliest local trading spot. Producers personally open their stalls; prices are more affordable than in shops, and you can talk to sellers to learn the stories behind the products. The widest product range is available in summer (June-September).

Earth Market (Yeryüzü Pazarı)

Approved by the Slow Food movement, this special market has been organized since 2015, focusing on organic products. Unlike the standard local market, it serves as a platform for certified organic producers.

Yeni Bademli Bazaar

Located in the village of Yeni Bademli, this bazaar sells handmade souvenirs and organic products together; it's the right place to find items from local artisans.

Farm Visits

For those who want to see Gökçeada's production process up close, several farms are open to visitors:

• Nusretbey Vineyards: Wine tasting + vineyard tour; reservation recommended.
• Elta-Ada Organic Farm: Farm tour, opportunity to closely observe organic dairy production.
• Gökhan's Honey Farm (Eski Bademli): Beekeeping process and hive observation; "farm-to-table" experience.

Harvest seasons are especially recommended for farm visits: Olive harvest (November-December), grape harvest (September-October). During these periods, production processes can be observed live.

If you'd like to learn more about Gökçeada's agricultural richness, check out our article on Gökçeada agriculture.

Online Ordering

For those who can't make it to Gökçeada or can't fit everything in their luggage, major producers offer online sales:

• Ada Rüzgarı: adaruzgari.com
• Elta-Ada: elta-ada.com.tr
• Ekozey: ekozey.com.tr
• Saklı Cennet: saklicennet.com.tr
• Nusretbey: nusretbey.com
• Eppek: eppek.net

Organic Certification and Assurance

Gökçeada is one of Turkey's pioneers in organic farming. Turkey's first organic grape grower (Nusretbey), first organic certified pasteurized milk and cheese producer (Elta-Ada), and registered native bee ecotype (Gökçeada bee) all come from this island.

Certificates to look for when purchasing products:

• ECOCERT-IMO: Internationally valid organic certification; dominant in cheese and dairy products.
• Ministry of Agriculture Organic Certificate: Official organic status in Turkey. Seen on olive oil and honey producers.
• Slow Food / Earth Market approval: Provides assurance for market products.

The island label is generally a reliable reference; however, if the official certificate is not clearly stated on the packaging, asking the producer is the best approach.

While shopping, you can also choose local businesses like Vento By Kapari.

Practical Shopping Tips

• Track the olive oil on-year; buying during high harvest periods is advantageous for both quality and price.
• Check bus schedules for transportation to the local market; the freshest products sell out at opening.
• While tasting wine at Nusretbey, also try the olive oil—they are different faces of the same farm.
• Buy Efibadem cookies in a box; they are easier to transport without breaking.
• A car is needed to reach Elta-Ada farm; it's 3-4 km from the center.
• Stock availability varies by season; there may be 'off-year' periods, especially for olive oil.
• For online orders, the post-harvest period (January-March) is the best time for the freshest products.

Gökçeada's local products are more than just shopping items; they are the tangible expression of the island's identity, nature, and people. Every bottle of olive oil carries the trace of an olive tree, every jar of honey a registered bee breed, every bottle of wine a millennia-old winemaking tradition. When these products go home with you, Gökçeada comes along too. Read our blog post for more information on Gökçeada's local flavors.