Couple's vineyard takes root in China's Bordeaux

By Xin Hua in Yinchuan (China Daily) Updated: 2016-09-22 08:11

An agriculture expert (left) checks grapes at a farm in Wuzhong city, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Despite the language barrier, Gao excelled during the 10 months and was accepted on to a more advanced course in Bordeaux. During this time, as an intern at Chateau Calon Segur, Gao met her future husband.

In 2007, Gao left Courtade and their daughter to return to Mount Helan, where she and her father established Silver Heights.

The foothills of Mount Helan are a perfect location for growing grapes. The soil is full of minerals and the area has about 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, with annual rainfall of less than 200 mm. Located just 1,100 meters above sea level, it is easy to use the Yellow River for irrigation.

At 40 degrees north, the vineyard is located at the same latitude as the Bordeaux wine region.

With favorable weather, hard work and government support, Gao's winery soon became one of the most successful in the region.

In 2008, its wines were given top scores by Jancis Robinson, one of the three top wine testers in the world. In 2012, Courtade joined his wife in Mount Helan.

"He uses processes developed by his own family," Gao said. "All our fine wine is made without chemical or physical filtration."

Courtade said he is very happy to work in Ningxia, not only because he is with his family, but because he enjoys his work.

"I have high hopes for the wine industry here," he said.

The local government is offering support for entrepreneurs such as Courtade and Gao, with the Belt and Road Initiative drawing an increasing number of consumers to Ningxia.

The regional government plans to extend the region's grape-growing area to about 47,000 hectares by 2020, producing about 200 million bottles of wine a year.

"I hope to stay here for a long time and make the best wine in the world," Courtade said.