Map The Wine

Map / China

Ningxia

A dry north-central plateau at the foot of the Helan Mountain, now China's most prominent fine-wine region.

XinjiangXizangInner MongolGansuYunnanHeilongjiangJilinLiaoningGuangxiGuangdongHainanFujianZhejiangShanghaiJiangsuShandongHebeiTianjinParacel IslandsBeijingSichuanChongqingGuizhouHunanNingxiaShaanxiQinghaiShanxiJiangxiHenanHubeiAnhuiHebeiHong KongShaanxiShandongYunnanNingxiaHelan Mountain EastYinchuan
The shaded area approximates the region; the gold dot marks its centre. Drag to pan, or use the buttons or Ctrl and scroll to zoom. Other regions of China are linked on the map.

Where it is

Ningxia is in north-central China, on the upper Yellow River, with Yinchuan as the capital. The vineyards lie on the eastern foot of the Helan Mountain, which shelters them from the Gobi desert winds.

Land and climate

Continental, dry and sunny, with a big difference between day and night. Winters are so cold that vines have to be buried in soil each autumn. The Yellow River irrigates the vineyards.

Grapes and wines

Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading grape, with Merlot, Cabernet Gernischt and Marselan. Ningxia has attracted international attention, and its wines have won medals in international competitions.