Wine grape season begins by digging up vines

With spring approaching, workers are busy unearthing grapevines at the foot of Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Helan Mountain in Ningxia, located between 37 and 39 degrees north latitude — within the optimal zone for wine grapes — has the largest number of wineries and grape arbors in China.

Before winter, workers trim the grapevines and bury them. When spring comes, the vines are unearthed and tied on wooden stands.

Unearthing vines requires careful observation and weather judgment, said Gao Yuan, an experienced winemaker. Unusual cold spells in early spring might occur in Ningxia, so it is necessary to dig a few vines and observe their conditions before large scale unearthing, she added.

Ding Jian, owner of a winery in Ningxia, has nearly 200 workers busy with planting.

The weather is full of uncertainties, and so is the wine. That is the charm of wine, Ding said.