China-Made Lafite Wine Chosen as French State Gift to Xi

A bottle of wine made in China by France’s Lafite Rothschild group found its way onto the diplomatic stage, presented to President Xi Jinping as a French state gift during Emmanuel Macron’s visit to China last month. 

The wine, Long Dai, is produced at Domaine de Long Dai in eastern China’s Shandong province, the only winery investment in China by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR Lafite), owner of the famed Bordeaux estate Château Lafite Rothschild.

The winery said the gift symbolised the outcome of Franco-Chinese collaboration, combining French winemaking expertise with Chinese terroir. It described Long Dai as the result of shared craftsmanship, natural conditions and long-term cooperation between the two countries.

Founded in 2008, Domaine de Long Dai is located in the Qiu Shan Valley of Penglai, a coastal wine-growing area in Yantai, Shandong. The estate’s vineyards are planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside Marselan, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The region’s sandy and clay-based soils, combined with a relatively mild climate, are considered suitable for full grape ripening.

The winery is managed by French winemaker Charles Treutenaere together with a Chinese team, with technical oversight from Olivier Trégoat, who also supervises several Lafite-owned estates in France.

Domaine de Long Dai currently markets two dry red wines – Long Dai and Hu Yue – while a rosé, Xiao Mu Lan, is sold only in limited quantities at the winery.

Macron’s visit also included senior representatives from the Lafite group. Saskia de Rothschild, chairwoman of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR Lafite), travelled to China as part of the French delegation. In meetings attended by France’s agriculture minister, discussions focused on the development of China’s wine sector and the role of bilateral cooperation in building wine culture.

The trip coincided with broader progress in wine-related cooperation between China and France. Last month, China approved intellectual property protection for 70 additional French wine geographical indications, including Burgundy’s Montrachet. China and France also issued a joint statement pledging continued cooperation in grape growing and winemaking.