Ningxia wine wins praise at Foodex Japan 2025

The Helan Mountain's East Foothill in Ningxia is located between 37.43 and 39.23 degrees north latitude, at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,200 meters. With the Helan Mountains to the west blocking cold air currents and the Yellow River to the east creating a unique microclimate, the region is widely recognized as one of the world's prime areas for growing wine grapes and producing premium wines.

In 2003, it was designated as a National Geographic Indication Product Protection Zone, and in 2013, it was included in The World Atlas of Wine.

The region's soil is rich in minerals, with an annual precipitation of only about 200 millimeters and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The significant temperature difference between day and night creates ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality wine grapes, while the availability of irrigation from the Yellow River provides additional advantages.

Wines from this region are known for their full-bodied structure, rich aromas, well-balanced sugar and acidity, and smooth finish, embodying a distinctive Chinese style that rivals global wine standards, experts said.

As of 2024, the Helan Mountain's East Foothill has a total of 606,000 mu (40,400 hectares) of vineyard plantations, accounting for nearly 40 percent of China's total vineyard area.

The region is home to 261 wineries and vineyard enterprises, including 130 fully operational wineries, producing 140 million bottles of wine annually, which are exported to more than 40 countries and regions.