When most people think of wine, China isn’t a country that typically comes to mind. But as someone who plans trips to China for a living, I know that the country is in the midst of a wine renaissance. Rich histories and a penchant for experimentation lead to unique, storied bottles that travelers can taste for themselves. China’s multiple emerging wine regions are as diverse as its landscapes, stretching from coastal hillsides to alpine valleys and desert plains, each distinct in terroir, climate, and character. Here are some of my favorites.
Ningxia
JaCZhou/Getty Images
Ningxia, in northern central China, is a small, autonomous region that even many Chinese people haven’t explored. It’s remote, dry, and shaped by its Hui Muslim heritage. Today, over two hundred wineries sit at the foot of the Helan Mountains in Ningxia. In order to survive the harsh cold, vines must be buried each winter, but the flavorful result is well worth the effort.
Nearby, travelers can visit the tombs of the Western Xia dynasty and ancient rock frescoes, believed to date back as far as 10,000 years—they serve as reminders that this land has always held layers of history. For travelers already venturing inland to explore the Mogao Caves, an art-filled Buddhist temple system in northwestern Dunhuang, or the ancient capital city of Xi’an, Ningxia can be a rewarding stop along the way.
Wineries to visit:
- At family-run Silver Heights Vineyard, join the founder Emma Gao for an artisanal glass as she shares her terroir-driven vision and family legacy.
- Discover how Helan Qingxue made history with its Jia Bei Lan red, which won the International Trophy at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards and cemented Ningxia’s place in the wine world.
- Meet bold, adventurous Chinese-German founder Wang Fang, nicknamed “Crazy Fang,” at Kanaan Winery. Here, experience a private tasting of her groundbreaking Ningxia Riesling—zesty, floral, and unlike any other.
- Xige Estate is a sleek, futuristic winery with proprietary fermentation tanks, where boundary-pushing wines meet organic meals via its on-site restaurant, Jade Dove Organic Restaurant.
Shangri-La
ZAXEE Walnut Tree Winery
Set high in the Himalayan foothills, Shangri-La’s vineyards grow in one of China’s most striking wine environments: The altitude and dramatic terrain make for slow-ripening grapes, and the result is wine with unexpected depth. In addition to the wine, the region is culturally rich, with Tibetan influences woven into the daily rhythm of vineyard life. Travelers can tour Dongzhulin, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery 3,000 meters above sea level; take a scenic stroll around Napa Lake, a nature reserve surrounded by mountains; and learn to make Tibetan prayer flags.
Wineries to visit:
- Try Zaxee Walnut Tree Winery’s high-altitude Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, tended to by local Tibetan farmers.
- Stop by the Tibetan Catholic village of Cizhong, known for its homemade wine made from the Rose Honey grape—a French variety that was wiped out a century ago in Europe.
Huailai
Canaan Winery
Just a short drive from the Chinese capital, Huailai’s extraordinarily diverse terroir thrives between Beijing’s rugged western mountains and the Great Wall’s majestic silhouette. Large day-to-night temperature shifts and the monsoon continental climate make the region well-suited to growing grapes. For wine lovers visiting Beijing, Huailai is a perfect one-day countryside escape. There, you’ll learn about the region’s long history of wine production and meet winemakers who blend traditional European methods with deep local experimentation.
Wineries to visit:
- Head to Domaine Franco-Chinois, where the winemaker will share how Marselan—a French grape variety—has found its perfect expression in Huailai, producing a smooth, full-bodied red.
- At the eco-focused Canaan Winery, where grapes are harvested at night and sorted by hand, taste Chardonnay and Riesling, alongside deeper reds like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Mei Zhang is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List and specializes in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Zhang by contacting her at [email protected].
