Since China's first industrialized winery was founded in Yantai in 1892, the coastal city in East China's Shandong province has been bathing in the vinous aroma for 131 years and named itself "a city of wine" in China.

Upon the opening of the 13th Yantai Intentional Wine Expo on June 16, a group of expats from the United States, Russia, Mongolia, Ghana, and Bangladesh embarked on a tour to explore the vine of the city's wine industry.

Expats taste wine at the 13th Yantai Intentional Wine Expo on June 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"We all know Yantai is a city of wine. But after this trip, I learned more about Yantai's wine production." said Aytiev Timur, a postgraduate student at Ludong University from Russia.

"I tried many different wines from different countries, including France, Spain, and Georgia, at the expo. And in the wine factories we visited, I can see Yantai's potential to be one of the best wine-producing regions in the world," Timur added.

For Balbashova Victoria, a Russian student at Ludong University, it was her first time participating in a wine-related activity, though she has been in Yantai for over a year.

"I found Yantai has such a profound wine culture. The locally produced wine tastes delicious, and I recommend that everyone who visits Yantai must try it," Victoria said.

Expats visit Long Dai, the only Asian estate of renowned French winemaker Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), located in Penglai district, Yantai, on June 17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Located in the golden northern latitude of 37 degrees, Yantai enjoys a favorable natural environment with sufficient sunshine and rainfall, mild temperature, and soil with high gravel content, which is suitable for growing grapes and producing wines.

The city is China's most extensive wine production base, accounting for 30 percent of the country's total wine output in 2022. It is home to 204 major wine producers, including Changyu, China's largest wine producer, and Long Dai, the only Asian estate of renowned French winemaker Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).

Expats visit the production plant of Changyu Wine Group in Yantai on June 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I know Changyu is an international brand. But I didn't realize how international it is until I came to its wine plant. It's impressive that we got to see how automated the facility is," said Sabrina Christine Valles from the US.

Valles said it also surprised her that Long Dai is designed to produce wine with Yantai characteristics instead of French-style wine. It also represents Yantai's geographical advantage in developing the wine industry.

Expats try bottling brandy at a winery in Yantai on June 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"During my 24 years, I've been to many cities. And I shall say that Yantai impressed me the most regarding people, weather, and growth potential," Timur said.

Forhad Md Fojla Rabbe from Bangladesh, expressed that he will share this unique experience with his family and friends back home and encourage them to visit this enchanting city.