Chateau Lafite Rothschild began building a chateau and developed 25 hectares of grape-planting area in Penglai, East China's Shandong province on March 11.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild began building a chateau and developed 25 hectares of grape-planting area in Penglai, East China's Shandong province on March 11.

The project is expected to produce 120,000 bottles of wine each year. For 15 years, the Chateau Lafite Rothschild has conducted research on the ideal quality grape-planting area in Asia, and Penglai was their choice.

During the project foundation ceremony, Eric Kohler from Chateau Lafite Rothschild said that, "Penglai has the potential to produce high-quality wine". It is the only coastal wine-producing area in Asia.

According to Gerard Colin, who is in charge of the Penglai project, Chateau Lafite Rothschild will plant different kinds of grapes in accordance with soil constituents. No chemical fertilizer will be used during the grape planting process.

Penglai now has a quality grape-growing area of more than 10,000 hectares, attracting more than 30 wine powerhouses at home and abroad. These wine producers generate 20,000 tons of high-end wine each year, according to Cong Yanpeng, head of Penglai Wine Bureau.

The area is located 37 degrees in both the north latitude and the south latitude. According to Christophe Salin, managing director of Baron Eric de Rothschild, it is the best place for grape growing. Currently, all of the continents stretching along this latitude, with the exception of Asia, already have wine production facilities. That may well explain why the French-based wine producer chose Penglai as its location in Asia.

The wine industry in Penglai has seen quick development this year. The city now has 70 enterprises involved in the wine production industry, with 140,000 tons of wine being made every year, according to Sun Yebao, mayor of Penglai.

By Zhao Ruixue (China Daily Shandong Bureau)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Rakhee M