Something truly exciting is happening in the wine world this week! The 47th World Congress of Vine and Wine officially launched in Yinchuan, Ningxia—marking the very first time this legendary International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) gathering has ever taken place in Asia.
Nestled right at the foot of the picturesque Helan Mountains, over 600 wine experts, industry leaders, and researchers from across the globe have come together (October 12–16) to talk about where wine is headed next. This is personally very exciting for me, because I have traveled to Ningxia twice in the past to attend wine conferences and visit the more than 100 wineries in the region.
This year’s big theme? “Shaping New Paradigms for the Global Vine and Wine Sector.” With 420 scientific papers being presented throughout the week, the focus is all about tackling modern industry challenges through fresh tech, smart innovation, and sustainable winemaking.
As OIV Director General John Barker put it during the opening ceremony, this isn’t just another conference—it’s a massive turning point:
This Congress is the culmination of a long-standing relationship between the OIV and China… opening a new chapter in the engagement of China with the global vine and wine sector.”
Barker also pointed out how international winemaking roots have taken hold in Chinese soil, blending global tradition with local cuisine, tech, and terroir to create something totally unique: “distinctive wines of Chinese style.”
OIV President Yvette van der Merwe put it even more poetically when speaking about Ningxia’s rising status as a world-class wine region:
“The vine does not lose its history when it travels. It acquires another story. China is writing its own story in wine.”
With a week of groundbreaking discoveries and regional tastings ahead, all eyes are on Ningxia as China firmly claims its spot on the international wine map!
