New work model drives wineries to sweet success

Danfeng county in Shangluo city, Shaanxi province, is located at a latitude of 33 degrees north. Grapes introduced more than 1,300 years ago enjoy an average of 2,056 hours of sunshine each year.

Because of the unique conditions in terms of the geology, water and climate in the Danjiang River Valley, the area nurtures wine grapes that are rich in pulp, high in sugar content and full of juice. They also taste delicious.

Shangluo resident Zhang Peiyu said she didn't get to taste any of Danfeng's grapes this year because "you have to go to the market before 7 am to buy them" during the season, but she always woke too late.

As early as 1911, Italian missionaries discovered that Danfeng's grapes had a rich, sweet flavor. They introduced European winemaking techniques to the county, leading to the establishment of a grape wine production company that still operates today. The winery is one of only two 100-year-old wine producing centers in China.

In the 1980s, Danfeng wine became popular nationwide and was also exported to more than 10 countries, including Japan and France.

However, in the 1990s, like many State-owned enterprises at the time, it faced layoffs and then went bankrupt. Having closed down, it was reopened at the end of 2007.