Kanaan Winery

Kanaan Winery is one of China's top producers, located in the foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountains, about 1,000 kilometres west of Beijing. Founded in 2011 by Fang Wang, the winery has established itself as a serious player in Chinese fine wine through meticulous viticulture and distinctive varietal choices. What sets Kanaan apart is its commitment to dry Riesling in a region traditionally dominated by red wines—a bold decision that has earned critical recognition. The winery's name, meaning 'the land of milk and honey', reflects the ambition to position Ningxia as one of China's leading fine wine regions.

About Kanaan Winery

Fang Wang founded Kanaan after spending 12 years abroad, including significant time in Germany, where she developed her passion for Riesling. The family's deep connection to Ningxia's terroir stems from her father, Wang Feng Yu, whose pioneering work in regional viticulture established a strong foundation for the winery's vision. Fang's ambition—growing premium Riesling in one of China's harshest wine climates—earned her the nickname 'Crazy Fang', but the results speak for themselves.

The vineyard spans 16.8 hectares planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon (10 hectares), supplemented by Riesling (1.3 hectares), Merlot (1.2 hectares), and Chardonnay. Ningxia's extreme conditions shape everything Kanaan does. Winters plunge to -20°C with just 200mm annual rainfall, requiring vines to be manually buried each November and unearthed in April. The sandy soils, however, offer a unique advantage: phylloxera cannot survive, permitting ungrafted rootstock cultivation without risk of infestation.

All vineyard work is performed by hand, using the upturned 'L' training system that keeps cordons low to the ground—essential for facilitating vine burial but impossible to mechanise. This labour-intensive approach reflects Kanaan's philosophy that quality demands hands-on attention at every stage. Fang's winemaking is equally precise: both her Riesling and the flagship 'Pretty Pony' blend are aged and matured in stainless-steel tanks maintained at precise temperatures, ensuring clean varietal expression. The Riesling develops dry, mineral character, offering citrus notes of grapefruit and lime blossom alongside green apple fruit, all balanced by crisp acidity. The 'Pretty Pony'—a 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot blend—is aged 12 months in used French barriques, developing elegant structure and finely-tuned tannins beneath its bright blackberry and blackcurrant fruit.

Kanaan Winery Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Ningxia Riesling is Kanaan's signature white and demonstrates why Fang's 'crazy' bet on this variety was justified. Scoring 90 points from James Suckling, this wine proves that cool-climate Riesling can thrive in Ningxia's extreme continental conditions. The dry style showcases citrus and stone-fruit aromatics with mineral grip—ideal if you're seeking an alternative to European Rieslings with genuine character born from challenging terroir.

The 'Pretty Pony' Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend represents Kanaan's core red offering, the wine that built the winery's reputation. This is the flagship expression: blackberry-driven, structured, and sophisticated enough for serious cellaring or special occasions. Whether you're exploring Chinese fine wine or seeking alternatives to mainstream Cabernet regions, Kanaan's range offers authentic quality with a story rooted in one woman's determination to transform a remote mountain region into fine wine territory.

Food Pairing

The Ningxia Riesling's dry, mineral character partners beautifully with seafood, particularly shellfish, cured fish, and Asian preparations featuring ginger, soy, or white miso. The wine's acidity cuts through richness, making it excellent with roasted chicken, lighter poultry dishes, and vegetable-forward cuisine. The 'Pretty Pony' blend demands savoury fare: lamb, duck, beef stews, or charred game meats. Its structured tannins also complement aged cheeses and charcuterie boards featuring cured meats.

Why is Kanaan's Riesling unusual for a Chinese winery?

Fang Wang spent 12 years abroad in Germany, developing her passion for Riesling. She chose to grow it in Ningxia despite the region's extreme -20°C winters, making it a deliberate, unconventional choice that has earned critical recognition.

How do Ningxia's harsh conditions affect Kanaan's vineyards?

Vines must be manually buried in November and dug up in April due to -20°C winters. However, sandy soils prevent phylloxera, allowing ungrafted vines. All work is done by hand using a special low-cordon training system unsuitable for machines.

What is the 'Pretty Pony' wine?

Kanaan's flagship red: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, aged 12 months in used French barriques. It displays bright blackberry and blackcurrant aromas with elegant, finely-structured tannins.

Who makes Kanaan Winery wines?

Fang Wang founded Kanaan in 2011 in Ningxia's Helan Mountains, China. She developed her passion for Riesling during 12 years abroad, including time in Germany, building on her father Wang Feng Yu's pioneering regional viticulture work.

What style of wine does Kanaan Winery make?

Kanaan specialises in dry Riesling and Cabernet-Merlot blends. Their 2023 Ningxia Riesling (90 points) offers citrus, stone-fruit and mineral character with crisp acidity. The Pretty Pony blend emphasises elegant structure with blackberry and blackcurrant fruit.

How much does Kanaan Winery wine cost?

Kanaan wines range between £26 and £40. The 2023 Ningxia Riesling costs £26.10, while the 2019 Pretty Pony Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is £40.25.