Bendi Stories: Crafting Fine Wine in China’s Huailai Region

While Beijing is known for its iconic landmarks, just a few hours’ drive away, Huailai in Hebei Province is quietly establishing itself as an emerging winemaking destination. Far from the capital’s bustling streets, this picturesque region is adding a new chapter to the story of wine in China.

Nestled between the rugged Yan and Taihang Mountains and encompassing the Guanting Reservoir, Huailai’s distinct microclimate creates the perfect conditions for vineyards to thrive. The region’s mineral-rich soils, combined with ample sunshine and seasonal rainfall, make it an ideal locale for crafting world-class wines.

Amid this natural landscape lies Canaan Winery, where Wu Yefei has dedicated over a decade to refining winemaking practices. His journey began at university, where a budding curiosity about viticulture blossomed into a deep passion. Yefei joined Canaan Winery in 2008 during its early stages, initially focusing on vineyard development. Today, he serves as the winery’s head winemaker.

Yefei’s deep personal connection to the land and its grapes shines through in his commitment to sustainable practices. The vineyard is nurtured with natural fertilizers, maintaining soil health and promoting biodiversity. To optimize resources and minimize environmental impact, Yefei and his team employ smart agricultural techniques, including weather stations and drip irrigation systems. This balance between growth and conservation is at the heart of Canaan’s philosophy, ensuring each bottle of wine reflects the terroir of Huailai while preserving the land for future generations.

But winemaking here comes with its challenges. With extreme temperature shifts and unpredictable rainfall, the growing process requires constant care and attention. These seasonal variations can greatly affect grape growth, but Yefei and his team have learned to work with nature’s rhythms — from pruning and training the vines in the summer to harvesting in the autumn, and burying the vines in winter to protect them.

Looking to the future, Yefei sees immense potential for boutique wineries like Canaan to not only innovate but to shape the next generation of wines. By exploring new products and diverse flavors, his vision remains clear: to craft wines that embody the land and capture the true essence of Huailai. It’s a long journey, but one that Yefei is both committed to and proud to pursue.

To experience Huailai’s wines firsthand, spend a day at Canaan Winery with a personalized wine tasting and a tour of the vineyards and production areas. Contact our travel designers to arrange an exclusive vineyard experience in Beijing’s growing wine region.

Words by Gabrielle Keepfer

Video produced by WildChina碧山

Cinematography and editing by Charles Zhu

Subtitles by Gu Qing and Gabrielle Keepfer

A special thanks to: Wu Yefei and the Canaan Winery team

Location: Canaan Winery, Huailai, Hebei Province