Ningxia
宁夏
Nestled between the Helan Mountain range and the Yellow River, this high-volume, high-quality area surrounding the capital Yinchuan has developed a reputation for award-winning Bordeaux blends.
Ningxia’s winemaking era started in 1982, with state-owned wineries planting large-scale vineyards in the region. Wine consultants were drawn to the dry, sunny continental climate, altitude, and alluvial soils.
Well-known for goji berries and lamb, natural resources, and culture including the ethnic minority, the Hui, Ningxia’s wine industry has brought attention and prosperity to a truely unique part of the world.
Climate: Cold semi-arid continental
Temperature: Average of -7°C in winter, 24°C in summer
Altitude: 700-1200m
Rainfall: 193mm p/a (low)
Sunlight: 3000 hours p/a
Soil: Sand, silt, limestone
Key varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Gernischt, Marselan
Notable Viticultural Practices: Vines buried in winter, some vineyards irrigated with water from Yellow River
Geography
The Yellow River (黄河) is the second-longest river in China, and typically considered the birthplace of ancient Chinese civilisation. For over 4000 years, the river has provided fertile soils for agriculture in the arid northern Chinese plateaus.
The Helan Mountains (贺兰山) are the key geographical feature making Ningxia’s winegrowing area possible - protecting the region to the west from the arid Tengger Desert. Running on a north-south parallel for just 200kms, the mountains hold cultural and historical significance as the westernmost point of the Xia dynasty - China’s first recorded dynasty.
Key subregions (north to south) include:
Shizuishan Prefecture
石嘴
Yinchuan Prefecture
银川
Qingtongxia County (in Wuzhong Prefecture)
青铜峡; 吴忠
*Also referred to as the Bronze Gorge
Hongsibu County (in Wuzhong Prefecture)
红寺堡; 吴忠
Zhongwei Prefecture
中卫
Size
As of 2025, Ningxia is home to over 200 wineries over 40,000 hectares - half of which are new plantings.
The upsurge in vineyard plantings in the region has led to a national GI - Eastern Foothills of Helan Mountain - to classify parts of the region. Further sub-regional mapping is underway to designate village-level terroirs, single vineyards, and cru-level zones.
Styles
Wines from Ningxia are typically Bordeaux blends, however these are lighter and more alpine in style - with a particularly invigorating, fresh, and herbaceous character.
Silver Heights ‘The Summit’ 2021
100% Cabernet Sauvignon in 50% new French oak for 18 months.
Xige Estate 2017
95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Gernischt in 30% new French oak for 18 months.
White varieties, particularly Chardonnay and Riesling, show potential as earlier-ripening grapes with acidity from the high diurnal range.
The Starting Point Amphora 2021
100% Riesling in traditional Chinese clay pots for 6 months.
Silver Heights Chardonnay Reserve 2021
100% Chardonnay in 100% new Burgundy oak for 8 months.
Notable Wineries:
Imported:
Silver Heights 银色高地
Xiao Pu 小圃
Notable Producers:
Chateau Moser XV
Helan Mountain Winery
Chandon China
Xige Estate
Helan Qingxue
The Starting Point
Kanaan Winery
Feitswei Winery
Domaine Des Aromes
Jade Winery
Sweet Dew
Mountain Wave
Domaine Charme
Legacy Peak
Chateau Huahao
Pu Shang