In Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a burgeoning wine industry is capturing growing attention both domestically and internationally. The region, located near the Helan Mountains in northwest China, is leveraging its distinctive natural conditions and innovative approaches to production and tourism to establish a unique identity in the global wine market.
From October 12 to 16, the regional capital Yinchuan hosted the 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine alongside the 24th General Assembly of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine—marking the first time these events were held in Asia. Concurrently, the sixth China (Ningxia) International Wine Culture and Tourism Expo took place from October 12 to 14, spotlighting Ningxia as a key player in China’s expanding wine industry.
As of 2025, Ningxia had cultivated over 600,000 mu (around 40,000 hectares) of land devoted to wine grape production, supported by approximately 130 wineries and an annual bottling capacity of 140 million bottles. The region’s terroir benefits from abundant sunshine, a dry climate, significant temperature swings between day and night, gravel-rich soils, and irrigation sourced from the Yellow River—all factors favorable for viticulture.
Zheng Zifeng, chairman of Shanghai Zhicheng Investment Co Ltd and founder of Dulaan Winery Town—a wine and tourism resort established in Helan County in 2021—returned to Ningxia in 2020 after more than a decade abroad in cultural tourism and urban planning. He envisions a wine industry that not only produces quality products but also integrates cultural and outdoor experiences. Dulaan Winery Town offers visitors activities such as vineyard cycling, camel rides, and exploration via adapted tractors, along with accommodation at the luxury Amno Hotel and visits to nearby historical sites like the Xixia Imperial Tombs.
Zheng and his team collaborate with researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ningxia Academy of Agricultural Sciences to monitor microvariations in vineyard plots, including sunlight, rainfall, temperature, and soil composition. They aim to tailor grape varieties and cultivation techniques specifically to Ningxia’s environment rather than replicate methods from established wine regions abroad.
Winemaking professionals in the region have embraced experimentation, developing distinct local styles over the past decade. Deng Zhongxiang, a consulting winemaker active in Ningxia since 2012, noted that the lack of entrenched traditions allows for ongoing innovation. For example, following a damaging hailstorm in 2025, producers devised a process to create white wine from red grapes, which was well received when launched in 2026. Other ventures include fermenting grapes with jasmine and oolong tea at Heyu Winery, infusing wines with flavors familiar to Chinese consumers.
Alongside production, introducing Ningxia wines to younger generations presents challenges. Zhang Yanli of Fei Tswei Winery advocates for storytelling as a means to engage new audiences. Fei Tswei Chronicle, an interactive narrative game set to launch soon, immerses players in a century-spanning winemaking journey at the Helan Mountains foothills. Through decision-based gameplay linked to China’s traditional solar terms, players experience grape growing and wine crafting, while learning winemaking concepts. The game’s creative team includes young professionals in scriptwriting, illustration, game design, and computer science.
Zhang emphasizes that the goal is not solely to convert players into consumers but to foster awareness and appreciation of Chinese wine culture. By connecting future drinkers with the stories and landscape behind the vintages, Ningxia’s wine industry aims to cultivate enduring support that builds on its distinct heritage and dynamic innovations.