A valley on the old Silk Road
The Yili River Valley, in the north-west corner of Xinjiang near the border with Kazakhstan, was a key passage on the ancient Silk Road. Enclosed by two branches of the Tianshan Mountains, it catches the last warm, moist air coming from the Atlantic, which makes it the most humid wine area of Xinjiang, with lavender fields, orchards and steppe.
A grower first
Silk Road Winery is the project of Li Yong, who grew up in the valley. For nearly two decades he invested mainly in his vineyards, without a winery of his own, before building one. The estate's cooler, more humid Kuerdening vineyard lies at 1,260 metres, inside the Xinjiang Tianshan UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and produces its signature whites, especially Riesling.
Wines
Alongside its whites, the estate makes red blends: its Explore Red Blend 2020 won a Silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023.
Why it matters
Silk Road Winery shows a different side of Xinjiang: not desert heat, but the freshness of a high, green mountain valley.