Once dismissed as a curiosity, Chinese wine is now commanding global respect — and Singapore’s sommeliers are helping pour that reputation into the spotlight at wine dinners such as the latest “Voyage to Chinese Vineyards” series at 5 ON 25 in Andaz Singapore.
A quiet revolution has been taking place in China’s vineyards — and the rest of the world is only just beginning to take notice. From the valleys of Yunnan and the limestone slopes of Shandong to the rugged hills of Ningxia, wines once dismissed as novelties are now standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.
Indeed, China’s wine landscape has transformed at an astonishing pace in the past 50 years. The country’s wine industry first started with Hebei’s Shacheng Winery making a dry white wine from the indigenous Longyan varietal native to the Shanxi region back in 1976; today China now boasts 12 major wine producing regions whose producers are now regularly winning accolades for quality.
Its early days of mass-market reds have given way to terroir-driven, world-class expressions crafted with the same precision and patience as the great estates of Europe. Leading the charge are producers like Ao Yun, Domaine de Long Dai, and the newly launched Xiaoling Winery — all combining French winemaking savoir-faire with distinctly Chinese soul.
From the Himalayas to Shandong: Crafting Modern Chinese Wine
In the clouds above Shangri-La, Ao Yun (which translates as “flying above the clouds”) has become the country’s most recognisable fine wine label. Backed by LVMH, the winery works with high-altitude vineyards perched between 2,200 and 2,600 metres, where Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc ripen under piercing sunlight and thin air to produce wines of extraordinary purity and tension.
Then there’s Domaine de Long Dai far to the east in Shandong’s Qiu Shan Valley. This Chinese outpost of France’s iconic Château Lafite Rothschild exemplifies how French winemaking expertise meets Chinese terroir. Under General Manager Charles Treutenaere and winemaker Liang Chen, Long Dai crafts polished, mineral-driven Bordeaux-style blends that capture the subtlety of Chinese soils and climate.
And in the mist-shrouded valleys of Yunnan, Xiaoling Winery — helmed by Bertrand Cristau — represents the next wave of boutique Chinese producers focusing on precision viticulture and site expression.
These wineries, and many others from across all 12 Chinese winemaking regions, are now making their mark on the global wine scene. This year’s Wynn Chinese Signature Wine Awards held in Macau, for example, saw a panel of internationally-acclaimed wine judges praise many of the entries, marking a pivotal moment for Chinese wine on the international stage.
Raising a Glass to Chinese Wine in Singapore
Singapore’s cosmopolitan wine scene has proven fertile ground for China’s new vinous identity. Over the past few years, sommeliers and collectors alike have begun to embrace these bottles — not merely as curiosities but as serious contenders in blind tastings and cellar selections.
And in Singapore’s vibrant dining scene, restaurants such as 5 ON 25 at Andaz Singapore have been instrumental in shaping perceptions around the wines of China. Its annual “Voyage to Chinese Vineyards” series, in particular, spotlight the craftsmanship, terroir, and ambition driving China’s rise in fine wine to curious diners and wine lovers alike.
Its latest upcoming edition — “A Tale of 2 Worlds: French Winemaking meets Chinese Soil” — is a trio of wine dinners this November that will not only pair refined Chinese cuisine with French-inspired viticulture, but also see China’s first female Advanced Sommelier Meiyu Li lead conversations about what “Made in China” can mean in the glass.
There’s “Unlocking the Secrets of Ao Yun” on 20 November, where guests will taste these rare vintages guided by Global Sales Director Yvonne Chiong paired with an eight-course menu by Chef Lim Hong Lih. 25 November will see “The Debut of Xiaoling Winery” present wines like the Marc de Xiaoling 2015 and Grand Vin 2019, each revealing a facet of the region’s unique microclimates and winemaking philosophy. Finally on 28 November diners have the opportunity to explore “The Charm of Long Dai”, a dinner which will spotlight rare verticals of Long Dai alongside commentary from the estate’s team.
The Future is in the Bottle
The ascent of Chinese wine reflects a broader evolution in Asia’s drinking culture. No longer content to emulate the West, producers are defining a distinctly Asian expression of fine wine — one that honours its geography, climate, and people. With estates like Ao Yun, Long Dai, and Xiaoling setting new benchmarks, China is not just participating in the global fine wine conversation; it’s helping rewrite it.
And if you’re looking to immerse yourself into the world of fine Chinese wine, there’s no better time than at Andaz Singapore’s upcoming “Voyage to Chinese Vineyards” series of wine dinners.
3 Nights. 3 Wineries. 1 Unrepeatable Journey.
This November. 5 ON 25 at Andaz Singapore brings you a world’s first tasting experience, never to be repeated. Savour rare vintages, paired with an exquisite 8-course dinner, and guided by Wine Expert Meiyu Li as well as winery representatives from Ao Yun, Xiaoling Winery and Domaine de Long Dai.
Unlocking the Secrets of Ao Yun | Thursday 20 November, 6.30pm
The first Grand Cru of the Himalayas by LVMH, a masterpiece born at 2,600 metres above sea level, handcrafted amidst a UNESCO World Heritage sanctuary between the fabled city of Shangri-La and the sacred Meili Mountain.
Hosted by: Global Sales Director Yvonne Chiong Mougin
S$450++ per person | seats are limited | book here
The Debut of Xiaoling Winery | Tuesday 25 November, 6.30pm
A high-altitude boutique wine estate, Xiaoling crafts elegant wines shaped by the dramatic Himalayan terroir, earning its place among China’s most respected producers.
Hosted by: Winery Owner Bertrand Cristau
S$350 nett per person | seats are limited | book here
The Charm of Long Dai | Friday 28 November, 6.30pm
Founded in 2008 by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, Domaine de Long Dai is nestled in the Qiushan Valley in Penglai, Shandong Province. It aims to make a Chinese Grand Vin which reflects 100% local terroir.
Hosted by: General Manager Charles Treutenaere and Winemaker Liang Chen
S$350 nett per person | seats are limited | book here
* this article is produced in partnership with Andaz Singapore
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