Chinese wine dating back to the 2nd century BC.
XIANGHAI was born at the northern foot of the mysterious Tianshan Mountains
the story of Chinese wine begins with the first vineyard. This site, named 95A7, stretches 122 meters from east to west and is up to 68.5 meters wide from north to south, making it the largest vineyard relic discovered in the ancient city of Niya. As one of the two ancient civilizations buried in sand in China, the ancient kingdom of Niya has been associated with wine since the 2nd century BC. Known as the ‘Eastern Pompeii,’ this ancient kingdom was not only a key town on the Silk Road but also the only known birthplace of Chinese and Eastern wine civilization with written records. Its wine culture was brilliant and exquisite, renowned among the Western Regions.”
Chateau XIANGHAI was born in the Ma’na’s small region at the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains in China.
Geographical Location
Situated on the gently sloping hillsides of the Tianshan Mountains, at an elevation ranging from 550 to 1000 meters above sea level, our vineyard covers 300 acres of small-scale, manually cultivated land.
This unique location, with its wind-facing slopes, creates a delicate microenvironment, contributing to the distinctiveness of our wines.
Soil and Geological Conditions
The slightly alkaline light gray calcareous soil, with twice the selenium content of ordinary soil, combined with the warm land’s phototropic characteristics, determines the passionate and intense quality of the grapes.
Year-round irrigation with melted water from the Tianshan glaciers, forming the Manas River, provides A-grade green food production water, ensuring the purity of the grapes and the development of their distinctive flavors.
Moreover, it has been designated as part of the “Bogda Man and Biosphere Reserve” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), adding to its protected status
Climatic Conditions
The average temperature in this area ranges from 6 to 8℃, with refreshing summers and harsh winters. The lowest temperatures can drop to -25℃ or even lower, making it suitable for buried soil cold-resistant cultivation.
Located amidst the vast Tianshan Mountains, stretching from east to west, this region follows a self-sustaining and self-renewing cycle, embracing the principles of self-circulation and self-regeneration.
Moreover, it has been designated as part of the “Bogda Man and Biosphere Reserve” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), adding to its protected status.
Annual sunshine duration of 2800-3500 hours, a temperature difference of 20 degrees between day and night, accumulated active temperature above 3500℃, and a frost-free period of approximately 160 days.
Abundant photosynthesis results in grapes accumulating rich and complex natural sugars, anthocyanin, and flavor compounds.
Our Winemaking Philosophy
In Xianghai’s vineyard, the oldest vines are over 30 years old, and we strictly limit the yield to 300kg per acre, only keeping the most refined fruits.
Our grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Marselan, Syrah, Dornfelder, and Petit Verdot.
The cultivation and winemaking process at Xianghai is fully organic, with manual harvesting across the entire plot and hand selection of each grape.
We use a low-intervention, organic winemaking process, with the wines being aged in underground cellars.
Our winemaking philosophy is to return to nature and encapsulate the flavors of the terroir bestowed by heaven.
