The grape and the good

Marc Linden demonstrates grafting techniques at the Norbert-Hans Vineyard, which was co-started by his grandfather Norbert Gorres and Hans Beu who wanted to pass on their grape-growing knowledge. Provided to China Daily

A German winemaker is following in his grandfather's footsteps, having inherited the mission of helping local farmers in Shandong province grow grapes and make world-class wines, He Dan discovers.

When he arrived at the Norbert-Hans Vineyard on May 31, vintner Marc Linden began with a thorough examination of the devices in the winemaking workshop before demonstrating grafting techniques in the fields. Despite all the work he needed to do at the family vinery, Sonnenberg in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Linden flew from Germany to China in late May after he received a request for help from his grandfather's old friends at the vineyard in Zaozhuang, Shandong province.

Linden took over the family's winemaking business after his grandfather Norbert Gorres passed away in 2009 at the age of 75. But as well as the business, Linden also inherited his grandfather's mission of helping the local farmers in Zaozhuang grow grapes and make world-class wines.

"Grandpa devoted a lot of time and energy to this land and I am happy to realize his unfulfilled wish of helping the local farmers live a better life by mastering winemaking skills to European standards," he says.