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Emmie was born in Isparta, Turkey. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy from Gazi University, Ankara, she moved to California in 1977 where she received a second bachelor’s degree in International Relations from San Francisco State University in 1981, and a master’s degree in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley in 1983.
Emmie’s professional career has involved her in a number of business start-ups, including early childhood development programs, temporary employment for early childhood teaching professionals, vocational teacher training and, since 2000, Emmie has managed her own home health care agency. More recently, she has turned her attention to a life-long passion – wine! In 2022, she completed the Winemaking Certificate program at University of California, Davis. At present, Emmie is continuing her studies towards a diploma through WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust.)
Emmie specializes in arranging private wine-tasting and educational events for small groups. She also conducts wine tours in California as well as tours of Turkish wine regions. When not on a tour, Emmie can often be found sharing her knowledge in the tasting rooms of local wineries. She is working on her first book dealing with the history of the wines of Turkey.
Emmie is a Morgan Hill resident. When she moved to Morgan Hill from Foster City four years ago, she found out that her new hometown is a sister city to a Turkish town, Seferihisar, (a town not too far from where she was born); she was ecstatic and intrigued by her discovery. She swiftly joined the Morgan Hill Sister Cities. Her affiliation with Sister Cities prompted her to undertake this project. With this tour, Emmie is hoping to connect her two homes – her native land and her adopted home of forty-five years. As her entire family lives in Turkey, Emmie has made countless trips to her native country over decades and yet Turkey never ceases to amaze her – at the crossroads of the east and the west; a secular republic yet a large segment of the population holds on to its Muslim origins; westernized, yet traditional values are still deeply entrenched and cherished – truly a mesmerizing land of fascinating dichotomies. Emmie wants to share her fascination with her local friends. Join her on an exhilarating journey and help her bridge her two beloved homes on her hosted tour.
Certified Tour Director/ Guide
ITMI – International Tour Management Institute
Advanced certification in wine & spirits
WSET Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Certificate in Winemaking, University of California Davis