It seems as if the most simple tasks to do at home can become arduous endeavors while abroad. Finding food that agrees with you, finding internet with a reasonable speed, asking for directions, but perhaps the most so is for arranging transportation. Luckily though (as is the theme of this trip) we have been putting much faith in the tendency for strangers to help, and as we looked quite helpless in Beijing's main train station, a kind Chinese student (who doesn't like wine, our first question second to getting directions) came to our aid.
The train ride proved entertaining: apparently not many westerners frequent the Shanxi province, a 3 hour train ride from Beijing, for all eyes seemed to be on us. Perhaps in line with this an 'undercover' Chinese-American missionary posing as a businessman came to discuss Christianity with us during the ride. About two hours of country-side car ride following this and we arrived at the beautiful colonial-style winery building of Grace Vineyards . While visiting the wine-shop we understood that Grace had quite a popularity, and it was fun to see too that our media partner Jancis Robinson had been there several years ago during the winery's infancy, praising the wine as one of the most promising of China. We agree and its moved up since then!
Grace Vineyards in the Shanxi Province of China
The visit began with our first encounter with buried vines for winter protection, a sight quite strange for Georges and quite new for Anja. Buried about one meter underground following techniques similar to those used in Canada, the vineyards look unplanted. Our host through this, assistant winemaker Reno (having just studied viticulture and oenology in Australia was eager to tackle the challenges of winemaking in his home country) guided us through the tour explaining that Grace was under construction; doubling its size to keep with its popularity and the potential of the market.
Grace's fermenting tanks and a view of 'ghost' vineyards, buried to avoid the harsh winters (that's snow on the ground!).
Continuing with our tour we encountered a manifestation of Grace's founding philosophy. A basketball court and dormitories highlighted the original idea of Grace; organized by a business man who while young worked in a factory in the area, he ordered the construction of Grace Vineyards about 15 years ago as his gift to the people of the region, to support economic growth and provide jobs.
The tasting: An amazing set up was provided for us, showing us the diversity and experimental philosophy of Grace Vineyards starting with a variety of whites. Some to become sparkling, others just testing the potential of the terroir. Most interesting of the tasting was a vertical arrangement of the winery's middle-end wine, highlighting the differences drawn out and sculpted from the grapes by the winery's earlier French winemaker as compared to Ken Murchison, their new Australian one. The most exciting point of the tasting came while trying several higher-end wines, whose smooth yet peppered tastes showed us the distinction of the land. Of these, a 2006 'Deep Blue' bottle, flagship for the winery, has been donated for the auction.
An impressive wine tasting; Chardonays, a Cabernet vertical, experimental Syrah and Marserans, the 'Chairman's Reserve'and the flagship wine 'Deep Blue.'
Deep Blue is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and the remaining 10% are of Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Marseran (a little known varietal that Grace Vineyards is currently experimenting with). The wine's name was inspired by a book, 'Blue Ocean Strategy' (by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne), about making competition irrelevant and creating market space in the modern day business world. Living up to its name, Deep Blue stands out in a Chinese market saturated with lower quality wines.
Deep Blue Bottling (with matching shirts!)
All in all, the 12 hour-traveling daytrip proved to find a gem in Chinese wineries and winemaking, and we are quite happy to have been able to share it with you and are eager to have it available for you at auction.
A Deep Blue bottle from Grace Vineyards (held by assistant winemaker Reno), and 10 year anniversary hardcover book will be available for auction!
And here we are showing off again Georges' polo (Chop-Stick style), Sponsors of the project printed in Dec 2009. New shirts will be printed mid-journey to include sponsors joining in after Dec 2009! So there is still plenty of time to join the project!
