Shandong is China’s largest wine-producing region, accounting for nearly 40 percent of China’s total wine production. Most of the region’s 140+ wineries are located along the northern coast of the Shandong Peninsula, in the famous Yantai wine region, which is typically referred to as China’s Napa Valley. Additional wineries are located in Qingdao, on the other side of the Shandong Peninsula.

Located along China’s East Coast, Shandong is geographically significant because it is halfway between China’s two most important cities – Shanghai and Beijing. In terms of overall size (160,000 square kilometers), Shandong is roughly the same size as the state of Georgia in the United States. Shandong also has a very large population that is bigger than that of Germany. When you combine the province’s relatively mild climate with the large geographical reach and bustling population, it’s easy to see why Shandong has emerged as one of China’s most important wine regions.

The real showcase for Chinese winemaking is Yantai, which has often been compared to California’s very best wine regions, especially Napa. Yantai, which is located on the northern end of the Shandong Peninsula where it begins to jut into the Yellow Sea, has been the home of Chinese winemaking since the late 19th century. In fact, China’s most famous domestic wine producer – Changyu Pioneer Wine Company – is based in Yantai. In the past few years, Changyu has shifted its focus from low-end red wine blends to mid-range and premium red wines, leading to its growing prominence both inside and outside of China. The company has also purchased vineyards in Europe, as part of building a truly global wine business model.

The most popular grape varieties in Shandong include Cabernet Gernischt (accounting for 28% of all production), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Riesling (5%) and Chardonnay (3%). Red blends account for another 27 percent of all production in Shandong. In addition to ranking as the No. 1 wine-producing region, Shandong also ranks as the No. 1 region for wine sales (both by volume and by sales).

From a climate perspective, Shandong’s location along the East Coast has its share of advantages and disadvantages. For example, the province has a maritime climate that is much less harsh than the typical climate found in the center of China. In general, the climate in Shandong lends itself to cooler summers and warmer winters. On the other hand, however, Shandong experiences the East Asian Monsoon, with cool, moist air from the Pacific leading to very rainy summers. Grape growers have to pay special attention to their vineyards during this time in order to prevent fungal disease.

As a result of its unique location, climate, and proximity to China’s two major cities, Shandong (and more specifically, the Shandong Peninsula) has experienced a surge in development that is clearly intended to position Shandong as not just a wine-producing region, but also a wine tourism and wine commerce region. The region has been a magnet for international investment, and Bordeaux producers such as Castel and Barons de Rothschild have invested here. Two prominent properties – Chateau Changyu (modeled on a Bordeaux estate) and Chateau Junding – are what the future of wine looks like in Shandong. In addition, the province is home to the Yantai International Wine Expo, which is one of the most important events on China’s wine calendar, attracting a truly global audience of wine buyers and sellers.

Shandong is China’s largest wine-producing region, accounting for nearly 40 percent of China’s total wine production. Most of the region’s 140+ wineries are located along the northern coast of the Shandong Peninsula, in the famous Yantai wine region, which is typically referred to as China’s Napa Valley. Additional wineries are located in Qingdao, on the other side of the Shandong Peninsula.

Located along China’s East Coast, Shandong is geographically significant because it is halfway between China’s two most important cities – Shanghai and Beijing. In terms of overall size (160,000 square kilometers), Shandong is roughly the same size as the state of Georgia in the United States. Shandong also has a very large population that is bigger than that of Germany. When you combine the province’s relatively mild climate with the large geographical reach and bustling population, it’s easy to see why Shandong has emerged as one of China’s most important wine regions.

The real showcase for Chinese winemaking is Yantai, which has often been compared to California’s very best wine regions, especially Napa. Yantai, which is located on the northern end of the Shandong Peninsula where it begins to jut into the Yellow Sea, has been the home of Chinese winemaking since the late 19th century. In fact, China’s most famous domestic wine producer – Changyu Pioneer Wine Company – is based in Yantai. In the past few years, Changyu has shifted its focus from low-end red wine blends to mid-range and premium red wines, leading to its growing prominence both inside and outside of China. The company has also purchased vineyards in Europe, as part of building a truly global wine business model.

The most popular grape varieties in Shandong include Cabernet Gernischt (accounting for 28% of all production), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Riesling (5%) and Chardonnay (3%). Red blends account for another 27 percent of all production in Shandong. In addition to ranking as the No. 1 wine-producing region, Shandong also ranks as the No. 1 region for wine sales (both by volume and by sales).

From a climate perspective, Shandong’s location along the East Coast has its share of advantages and disadvantages. For example, the province has a maritime climate that is much less harsh than the typical climate found in the center of China. In general, the climate in Shandong lends itself to cooler summers and warmer winters. On the other hand, however, Shandong experiences the East Asian Monsoon, with cool, moist air from the Pacific leading to very rainy summers. Grape growers have to pay special attention to their vineyards during this time in order to prevent fungal disease. 

As a result of its unique location, climate, and proximity to China’s two major cities, Shandong (and more specifically, the Shandong Peninsula) has experienced a surge in development that is clearly intended to position Shandong as not just a wine-producing region, but also a wine tourism and wine commerce region. The region has been a magnet for international investment, and Bordeaux producers such as Castel and Barons de Rothschild have invested here. Two prominent properties – Chateau Changyu (modeled on a Bordeaux estate) and Chateau Junding – are what the future of wine looks like in Shandong. In addition, the province is home to the Yantai International Wine Expo, which is one of the most important events on China’s wine calendar, attracting a truly global audience of wine buyers and sellers.