The Reunion

In 1999, the patriarch of Silver Heights, Gao Lin, had a premonition that one day, his home province of Ningxia would become a sought-after region for world-class wines. He began planting Cabernet Sauvignon vines sourced from France and convinced his daughter, Gao Yuan (who also goes by Emma), to venture abroad to Bordeaux where she enrolled in a Masters of Oenology program. Emma gained experience from working at a number of revered estates, including Calon-Ségur in Bordeaux. There, she fell in love with Thierry Courtade, whose family has been making wine at Calon-Ségur for three generations and married in 2003. In 2005, Emma returned home to China as one of the few Chinese women with a diplôme national d’oenologue. Thierry and their daughter, also named Emma, followed soon after. From then, Silver Heights released its first vintage in 2007 with Gao Lin, Emma and Thierry producing wines with a mission to further develop the Ningxia terroir and make the highest quality wine possible from the region.

A 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, The Summit draws inspiration from a classic Bordeaux blend. Its name is drawn from a famous ancient Chinese poem that “represents the spirit of the Ningxia people”. Its name also represents Silver Heights’ determination to produce world-class wines. The wine is aged in 100% new French oak for 12 months, yet it retains fruit weight and is not overpowered by the oak’s influence. A wine that will unfurl beautifully with time in a decanter.

Puchang is located in the Turpan Valley of the Xinjiang province, very much in the middle of the desert and largely free of any pests. It was first established in 1975 and since its new ownership in 2008, a new lease on life has been given to the estate and has become one of the first organic wine producers in China. 

Beichun is a truly unique grape variety, grown only within Xinjiang. It is a cross between Muscat d’Hamburg and Vitis Amurensis ruprecht, dating back to 1954 at the Northern Chinese Viticultural Institute near Peking. It produces full-bodied yet elegant wines in most vintages, with strong scents of strawberry and flowers, particularly rose. The wine has an exquisitely sumptuous aroma with balanced tannins, retaining further elegance by being raised partially in stainless steel tank, and then in old oak to soften the tannins, bringing the wine together without imparting an oaky character. 

A truly unique expression of wine only seen within the region from a leading producer dedicated towards vineyard health and quality wine production.

The Legacy Peak vineyard is located at an altitude of 1,246m in the beautiful scenic area of the Xixia King Tombs (Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). It is one of very few vineyards in China with fully mature vines, at over 18 years old with the initial plantings dating back to 1997. The vineyard is predominantly planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Merlot and Chardonnay. Chi Yu, meaning ‘red feather’ – ‘chi’ referring to a shade of red, and ‘yu’ meaning feather, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The family’s ambitions are to produce the best wines from Ningxia and represent the quality of wine possible within China. Their current reputation demonstrates that they’re on the right track; coupled with their fastidious nature and commitment to quality, the growth of Legacy Peak shows little sign of slowing down.