The World’s Best Vineyards 2024, organized by the team behind the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Bars, has been unveiled, shining a spotlight on the global wine industry’s most exceptional destinations. Among them, Canaan Winery stands out as the only Chinese winery to make the Top 100 list. This marks its second appearance, after debuting at 80th place last year. In 2024, it climbed three spots to 77th, a quiet yet significant ascent for a winery that continues to defy expectations.
Asia’s representation on the list remains sparse, with only three wineries featured—two from Japan and Canaan representing China. As the lone Chinese entry, its inclusion carries weight.
From The Ground Up
For Canaan’s CEO, the recognition feels deeply personal. “Any groundbreaking achievement starts from the ground,” says Richard Li, reflecting on the winery origin. That journey began in Huailai, a region just a 30-minute high-speed train ride from Beijing.
In 1999, Huailai came into international scene when Domaine Franco-Chinoise was created as a Chinese-French government collaboration, aiming to explore and demonstrate the region’s ability to produce high-quality wines. A decade later, between 2006 and 2009, a separate initiative emerged when a group of international wine experts, primarily from Purdue University, conducted a two-year search across China for the perfect terroir. Their journey led them to Huailai, where they identified a parcel ideally suited for viticulture—coincidentally, just meters away from DFC’s vineyards, further validating the region’s promise.
This new venture became Canaan Winery, which was built from the ground up with modern infrastructure and ambitious goals. In 2010, the two stories converged when Cher Wang, a Taiwanese entrepreneur who had already established ownership of Canaan, acquired DFC during its privatization through public bidding. This merger brought the two neighboring wineries under a single ownership while preserving their distinct identities.
But Canaan’s recognition wasn’t built on coincidences. Two decades ago, Canaan’s founders faced fundamental questions about the viability of Chinese winemaking. Could vines thrive in this untested soil? Could Huailai, better known historically as a military stronghold rise to the level of a wine producing hub?
“I would say the founder and our founding team, mainly the Purdue team who travelled all the way from the US, who laid down the cornerstone some 15 years ago, deserve the greatest credit,” Li emphasizes. Their foresight and dedication would eventually place Canaan not just on the map but on a global list of excellence.
A Relentless Pursuit
What makes a vineyard stand out? For Canaan, it’s not just the soil or the vines—it’s the wines in the bottle.
The winery’s recognition comes from years of painstaking effort, from sleepless nights during harvest to the uncertainty of unpredictable weather. It requires constant care from vineyard management to cellar. “Some people think making wine is formulaic—plant the vines, harvest the grapes, age the wine. It’s anything but,” the CEO says. “You’re constantly in a dialogue with nature, and fights with un-expected surprises.”
Putting Huailai on the Map
Canaan’s sole representation on the list is as much about its wines as it is about its roots in Huailai. Just 80 kilometers from Beijing, the region offers an advantage that few wine-producing areas can claim: proximity to a metropolitan hub of 25 million people.
“We are the only winery in the world this close to such a large population,” the CEO notes, emphasizing the strategic importance of wine tourism in Canaan’s success. With high-speed trains and improved infrastructure, the winery has become a destination for urbanites seeking an escape into the vineyards.
But location alone isn’t enough. Canaan has embraced wine tourism not as a business tactic but as a way to foster deeper connections. Visitors to the winery can walk among the vines, speak with vignerons, and witness the transformation of grape to wine in the cellar. “Wine tourism is important as part of the consumer experience, people gain more understanding in our wines, our vision, and in our brands. It is also a way to build up consumer trust,” the CEO explains.
Over the years, they’ve expanded their offerings to include culinary experiences, harvest tours, vineyard Jazz festival and even a partnership with their sister winery, DFC, the sister right next to Canaan was recently renovated to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the region’s winemaking history.
Challenges on the World Stage
Despite its accomplishments, Canaan is acutely aware of the challenges that come with representing an emerging wine region. Even though Chinese wine is now getting more recognition on the global stage, the key challenge as Li believes is no different from any other industry, which is building visibility.
For Canaan, the key to overcoming those challenges lies in authenticity. “For wine, there is no secret apart from owning a good bottle and share it with people,” he says.
Looking Ahead
Canaan isn’t resting on its laurels. The winery has ambitious plans to enhance its visitor experience, from creating fusion food pairings to offering curated packages that include activities like skiing and camping in the surrounding region. At the same time, the winery remains focused on building its brand equity and expanding market coverage, striving to consistently push boundaries and excel in all aspects of its operations.
Even the staff are part of the story. During harvest, vineyard workers double as tour guides, offering guests a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process. “Some of our team members are bilingual, even trilingual,” Li said proudly. “It adds a personal touch that visitors really appreciate.”
The newly renovated sister winery Domaine Franco-Chinois building offers another dimension to the experience, showcasing the history of fine winemaking in Huailai while highlighting the region’s potential to produce wines of international acclaim.
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