Environmental benefits in focus

The cultivation of grapes in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region makes full use of previously barren land and the dry climate, while the greenery and windbreaks established by the vineyards have greatly increased the forest coverage in the wine production area.

The Gobi Desert landscape and the loose, light soil in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains are not suitable for grain crops, such as corn and wheat, which require large amounts of water and fertilizer.

Instead, about one-fifteenth of a hectare of grapevines needs just 200 cubic meters of water annually, according to Zuo Xinhui, the owner of Chateau Lilan in Yinchuan, the regional capital. Moreover, the high soil permeability and aeration levels prompt the vines to send their roots deeper to obtain more minerals.

Cao Kailong, an official with the regional wine bureau, told Xinhua News Agency that the vines are planted at an angle of 45 degrees so they can easily be covered with soil during winter to protect them from the cold.

Moreover, the vines perform the dual function of providing a windbreak and fixing the sand, resulting in a reduction in soil erosion and improved flood prevention, he said.

Winemakers have seized the opportunities brought by these environmental advantages to develop viticulture in the region.

Shao Qingsong, CEO of Chateau Lilan, led his employees in planting trees and growing vines to turn a section of the Gobi Desert into a vineyard.

"Many farmers thought the big rocks in the area were too heavy to move and heavy labor would be needed to remove them, but as a grape-growing technician I treasure the area because the land, covered half by soil and half by rubble, is rich in minerals," he said.

Chateau Zhihui Yuanshi, also in Yinchuan, was built on the ruins of a quarry. Most of the decorations in the facility－which features an underground cellar, a tasting hall, a restaurant and a graceful garden－were made from rocks and different types of wood collected in an environmentally friendly way.

In 1996, Yuan Hui, the winery's founder, bought a piece of wasteland in the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains and began planting trees on the barren hills with the help of the local government.

In 20 years, he transformed 1,200 hectares of barren land into 500 hectares of forest, plus 133 hectares for the cultivation of wine grapes and 66.67 hectares of fruit forests. Three million trees were planted, dramatically improving the regional environment.

In 2008, Yuan recycled unused construction materials and spent six years building a Chinese-garden-style winery on the site and planting vines in the foothills.

Cai Donghong, who used to work in the garden but is now a cashier in the tasting hall, said: "Construction workers moved the stones from the grape fields and transported them to the winery by truck. We piled them up to build the garden, along with local wood. In fact, even my desk is made from dried branches."