This coastal city now makes a third of China’s wine
Along China’s eastern seaboard, the coastal city of Yantai has emerged as the country’s most established wine hub, combining vineyards, large-scale production and a rapidly expanding wine tourism sector.
The region was recently spotlighted during a 48-hour visit by American video creator Jack, whose tour offered a snapshot of how China’s wine industry has taken shape in the city.
From vineyards to lifestyle experiences
Yantai is home to more than 60 vineyards and estate wineries, many of which have expanded beyond winemaking into tourism and cultural offerings. One such example is Longting Vineyard, a boutique, sea-facing estate that positions itself around the idea of “slow living”.
Visitors are encouraged to pause, taste the wines and engage with traditional wellness activities. “We want people to experience not just our wines, but a lifestyle connected to the land and local culture,” said Emma Wang, Director of Operations at Longting Vineyard.
The region’s natural environment underpins its winemaking credentials. Its coastal location brings abundant sunshine, a mild maritime climate and mineral-rich soils, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. As a result, Yantai wines are often described as fresh, balanced and elegant.
According to Zheng Anyu, Tasting and Sales Manager at Longting, Chardonnay is a particular standout. He said the wines show clean acidity with subtle characteristics shaped by sea breezes.
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Industrial scale and historic roots
Alongside its boutique estates, Yantai also forms the industrial backbone of Chinese wine production. The city hosts more than 200 wine producers and is responsible for roughly one-third of China’s total wine output.
At Changyu, China’s first modern winery, founded more than 130 years ago, visitors are confronted with the sheer scale of the operation. Its automated production lines highlight what is now considered the highest level of industrial winemaking in the country.
Quality, however, remains central to Yantai’s reputation. Over the past three years, wines from the region have secured more than 700 international awards.
Ruan Shili, Chief Winemaker of Changyu Cabernet, said consistency is key. “When talking about wine-making, grapes decide its success for about 70 percent, and the other 30 percent depends on technique,” he said.
With an annual wine tourism flow of between three and four million visitors, and a winemaking history stretching back more than a century, Yantai continues to evolve. The city is now positioning itself not just as a production centre, but as a destination for wine culture with growing global recognition.
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