Two young entrepreneurs in Hong Kong have forged an unconventional path to bring Chinese natural wines from remote mountain vineyards to local urban consumers. In 2023, Anson Sik, 25, and Edson Bichon, 27, founded Purple Rain Wine, a company specializing in importing distinctive natural wines sourced from lesser-known producers across southwestern China’s Yunnan province.

The idea took root during a 10-day journey through rural Yunnan, where Sik and Bichon navigated difficult terrain and unreliable communication channels to connect with small-scale, often family-run wineries producing natural wine at high altitudes. Their trip culminated in Chuxiong, Yunnan, at a harvest dinner attended by established players in China’s wine import industry, who expressed surprise and enthusiasm for Sik and Bichon’s novel approach.

Purple Rain Wine aims to introduce these obscure varieties, many from producers invisible on conventional platforms, to Hong Kong’s wine scene. The founders’ mission extends beyond importation; they focus on storytelling, highlighting the cultural and geographical heritage behind each bottle. Their firsthand experiences—including visits to Tibetan mountain villages at 2,800 meters elevation, stays on rural farms, and interactions with local grape-pickers—have been documented in a series they call Breaking with Wine.

Sik and Bichon met after returning to Hong Kong from overseas universities and initially worked in marketing and management roles before launching Purple Rain Wine three years ago. They faced challenges penetrating Hong Kong’s restaurant industry, where wine lists traditionally favor well-established European labels and close importer-restaurant relationships. Despite this, the company’s persistence—regularly cold-calling restaurants and organizing tasting events—has led to distribution deals with wine shops such as Leeder Quay, bars including Blue Supreme and Craftissimo, and Michelin-starred restaurants like Feuille. Talks are ongoing with the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.

Beyond retail and dining venues, Purple Rain Wine has hosted approximately 20 events blending wine with cultural activities ranging from calligraphy to Japanese disco. These events have attracted significant interest, including a sold-out natural wine and dim sum pairing hosted at the historic Luk Yu Teahouse and a collaboration featuring DJs and tattoo artists.

The founders have also begun producing their own collaborative wines, experimenting with a honey-blend sparkling white in pét-nat style and an infusion incorporating oolong tea. Recent visits to Yunnan allowed them to conduct tasting sessions to refine their products further.

Sik and Bichon emphasize that their roles go beyond standard importing. Their work includes filmmaking, graphic design, event curation, and product development. For example, Bichon handles much of the video editing and storyboarding for their media projects. This multifaceted approach reflects their desire to blend logistics with creative storytelling and community engagement.

Their portfolio includes collaborations with producers from diverse regions, such as a winemaker in Shangri-La and a Tibetan farmer named Java, after whom one of their bottles is named. One notable story involves the Rose Honey grape variety—originally from France but now extinct there—maintained only in a Tibetan village due to 19th-century missionary plantings. Such narratives enrich their brand’s identity and offer Hong Kong consumers a unique insight into China’s hidden wine heritage.

Balancing their entrepreneurial efforts with other commitments—Sik also leads a U.S.-based AI tech start-up—the duo maintain a demanding schedule they describe as “12 to 12, but in a good way.” They attribute their success to a philosophy they call “Macro patience, micro urgency,” reflecting a long-term vision paired with daily dedication.

Purple Rain Wine continues to grow its footprint within Hong Kong’s evolving wine market, challenging conventional palates and bringing fresh stories—and flavors—from China’s underexplored vineyards to the city’s drinkers.