Song Yan, a winemaking entrepreneur in Shandong province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Yantai's winemaking area covers about 19,000 hectares, involving more than 200 major enterprises. The sector is led by 12 big players producing a combined 71,300 kiloliters of wine in 2020－nearly one-fifth of the nation's wine production. Ten businesses recorded annual sales revenue exceeding 100 million yuan ($15.7 million) each, according to municipal figures. The city is also home to more than 500 wine-related businesses, ranging from agricultural machinery companies to bottle makers and cultural tourism operators. Its wines have won more than 500 industry awards worldwide, and Yantai wines together boast a brand value of 85.2 billion yuan.

"Our local government, with its full support for the sector through comprehensive development policies, infrastructure and incentives, understands the priorities as well as the vineyards, so I'm sure it won't be long before Chinese wines take their place firmly among consumers and markets, East and West," Gao says.

Song says nascent awareness of quality Chinese wines among domestic and foreign consumers continues to be a major challenge, particularly when faced with the low prices of foreign competitors－but she remains committed to the path she has taken and is sure of her vineyard's position as a boutique establishment filling an important niche in the sector to prove its competency and capability among the best in the world.

"We have a winning combination of sustainable quality, community involvement and social responsibility," she says.

"We're proud to be a part of Chinese industry and enterprise, in winemaking and beyond, striving for success."