Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards Winning Winery: The Brand and History of Tiansai Vineyards
Tiansai Vineyards was founded in 2010 with the concept that beauty can transcend the boundaries of nature, turning 2,800 acres of Gobi Desert into a vibrant grape oasis. The premium, experiential winery features a clean, minimalist design that blends organic viticulture, modern winemaking, themed tourism, and wine culture promotion.
In addition to transforming barren wasteland into thriving vineyards over the past 16 years, Tiansai has risen from obscurity to become one of China's most recognized pioneering estates. Deeply rooted in the unique terroir of Yanqi, Xinjiang, the winery remains committed to strict organic practices, confident that exceptional wines can be crafted on Chinese soil, and dedicated to sharing its distinctly Chinese wine culture.
Location & Environment
Tiansai Vineyards is located in the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Yanqi Hui Autonomous County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Situated at the heart of the Yanqi Basin on the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, the winery lies along the key transportation route connecting northern and southern Xinjiang, occupying the historic site of the ancient Yanqi Kingdom, one of the 36 states of the Western Regions. Blending the spirit of the Tianshan Mountains with a distinctive Yanqi character, the winery creates the striking image of a frontier estate at the mountain's base.
The unique natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage that surround Tiansai Vineyards form a vibrant tourism resource steeped in regional identity, with attractions that include the Horasan Mountain Nature Reserve, Bosten Lake, Lop Nur People's Village, Seven Star Buddhist Temple Ruins, Bayanbulak Grassland, and Gongnaisi region.
Main Grape Varieties
Tiansai Vineyards primarily cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Marselan, Syrah, Chardonnay, Italian Riesling, Muscat Hamburg, Viognier and Riesling with experimental plantings of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Moldova, Saperavi, and Grenache. Cultivation methods are carefully tailored to the local Yanqi terroir, using science-based, effective techniques to grow the grapes.
Experts of the Vineyard
Owner
Lizhong Chen
The founder and owner of Tiansai Vineyards, Lizhong is widely respected in the industry. Among her many accolades, she was named one of the Top 10 Most Influential Women in China's Wine Trade by The Drinks Business in 2019, received the Sustainable Vision Award from the Women's Wine & Spirits Awards in 2020, and in 2021 earned the National Federation of Industry and Commerce's Eighth "Glory Cause – Land Greening Contribution Award" and was honored as one of the Top 10 Influential Figures in the Chinese Wine Market.
Chief Winemaker
Lilian Carter
Lilian comes from a winemaking family in Australia. She has worked across renowned wine regions including South Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and China's Ningxia Helan Mountain's eastern foothills. Calling upon her exceptional skills and deep understanding of wine, she has led Tiansai to multiple domestic and international awards, contributing significantly to the winery's success.
Viticulturist
Zhiqian Jiao
A CADA Level 2 Winemaker with over a decade of experience in winemaking and viticulture, Zhiqian has managed the winery's 2,800-acre vineyard since 2016. He is a master of the full seasonal cycle, from spring training to winter soil burial, continuously driving vineyard improvements while advancing ecological circular agriculture to elevate the quality of Tiansai's grapes.
