Ningxia mulls lift as global wine hub

An image of flowers thriving in the rugged crevices of mountains in China's northwest embodies a remarkable resilience that has captivated a group of young entrepreneurs from Shanghai, inspiring them to establish roots in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, create the Dulaan winery, and venture into the global wine market.

They are riding the wave fueled by the Ningxia government to actively support and foster the wine industry with favorable policies.

Leveraging its distinctive climate and environmental advantages, Ningxia is making an effort to grow into an international hub for wine production.

Among the visionaries is Xue Yingzi from Shanghai, deputy manager of Dulaan, who identifies herself as part of the new wave of entrepreneurs in Ningxia. Drawn by local incentives and the enchanting landscapes beneath the Helan Mountains, coupled with the quality of local wine production, Xue's boss decided to establish a winery and chose her to oversee the project.

Xue said she initially grappled with adapting to the rhythm of life in this new setting. "Our company is headquartered in Shanghai, and during the construction phase, I found myself flying back and forth almost every month, adapting to the climate and learning the art of wine-making while overseeing construction projects, all amid the unforeseen challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Encompassing an expanse of 3,303 mu (220 hectares) of land, with an initial phase covering 1,415 mu and a planned investment of 1.5 billion yuan ($207 million), the Dulaan winery project aims to develop the entire grape cultivation-to-wine production industry chain, along with wine culture tourism.

Due to the hurdles faced during construction, Xue acknowledges moments of doubt. Nevertheless, the overall ambience in Ningxia instilled in her a profound sense of optimism that overshadowed the challenges.

"One day, we stumbled upon intricate patterns on the rocks, which upon closer inspection revealed tiny blossoms. Though they were moss, at that moment, they infused us with great strength. I believe this resilience, perseverance and hopefulness are inherent traits of Ningxia and its people, which also boosted my strength to overcome obstacles."

Xue elaborated on their global introduction of grape varieties, the recruitment of overseas research and development experts, and the establishment of a platform for industry exchanges on a global scale. Furthermore, they intertwine wine tasting with leisure activities to craft a themed estate for a serene experience.

In recent years, Ningxia has expedited the profound integration of "wine + cultural tourism", undertaking a series of winery cluster projects and wine tourism complexes.

According to the local wine industry authority, the region has outlined six projects for the integrated development and enhancement of the wine sector in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, with a total investment of 21.85 billion yuan this year. Presently, with the comprehensive implementation of these plans, several pivotal construction projects in the region have been set in motion.