Under the Qilian Mountains
Qilian Wine Company takes its name from the Qilian Mountains, whose snows water the oases of Gansu's Hexi Corridor. Founded in 1996, it is based in Zhangye, in the middle of the corridor, a few miles from Guofeng winery.
Ice wine in the oasis
Qilian is best known for its ice wine made from Italian Riesling (Welschriesling), one of the grapes that suit the corridor's cool, dry climate best. Zhangye is described as the home of China's first true ice wines, which won international praise in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
A cellar of poems
The winery's cellar is one of the most impressive in the region, combining Western and Chinese style, with Chinese poems and paintings along its walls. The winemaking team is entirely Chinese.
Why it matters
Qilian is one of the key names of Gansu wine and a reference for Chinese ice wine.