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Ningxia’s Wine Legacy: Growth Driven by A Unique Excavator
As winemakers around the world know, geography and climate are as essential to fine wine as the grape itself. Shielded from the sandstorms of the Gobi Desert by the Helan Mountains and located at the same latitude as France's Bordeaux region, the expansive Ningxia plains enjoy 3,100 hours of sunshine annually. Additionally, the temperature variation between day and night is around 15°C, a crucial factor for maintaining the acidity of grapes, as any wine enthusiast will attest.
Using A Modified Bucket in Rough Soil
While Ningxia boasts an ideal climate for viticulture, significant challenges remain for the vines to flourish. The soil, which is heavily compacted with large rocks, is a significant challenge. Ma Yanfeng, a pioneer in the region's wine industry, tackled this issue with an innovative approach. He repurposed the buckets on his Cat® excavator to function as large sieves. This clever method allowed him to effectively remove the largest rocks, resulting in lighter, aerated soil. The deep roots of the vines were able to penetrate, spread, and breathe more effectively, optimizing their growth potential in this challenging terrain.
Digging Out After Winter
The main obstacle to overcome, however, is winter, when temperatures can drop as low as minus 14°C. From November, the grapevines must be buried in the soil to avoid being frozen and killed.
Ma Yanfeng
It's labor-intensive and expensive, but as the world has come to recognize, it is well worth the effort.
We raise a glass to the ingenuity and dedication of men like Ma Yanfeng.
Facts & Figures
Ningxia Helan Mountain region at a glance
Total plantings: 40,000ha
Wineries: 100 operational with a further 80 under construction
Soils: Gravels closer to the hillside, sandy clay in regions closer to the Yellow River
Altitude: Vineyards are above 1,000m up to about 1,200m
Climate: Continental
Total production: 105m liters
Key grapes: Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Marselan, Cabernet Gernischt, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Syrah. White Chardonnay, Welschriesling, Viognier, Riesling, Petit Manseng
