Ningxia's wineries brew up vintage success

'Golden strip'

The winery Liu and Hai work for is located in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains. Situated on the 38th parallel, the narrow corridor between the mountains and the Yellow River is one of the world's so-called golden strips for wine grape cultivation.

The mountains block the extreme cold from the north and also hold back sandstorms from the Gobi Desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Meanwhile, the Yellow River irrigates the arid land, which receives just 200 millimeters of precipitation a year.

The long, sunny days in the region ensure the buildup of sugar in the grapes, while the wide fluctuation in temperature between day and night helps to control the level of acidity. The mineral-rich, aerated soil aids steady grape yields.

Working from the philosophy that "great wine starts in the vineyard", the vintners have used the geographical advantages to earn acclaim in the burgeoning industry and provide jobs that help local people shake off poverty.

Nearly 100 wineries have been built in the region, according to the local wine bureau.