Covering an area of 32.6 hectares, Domaine Franco-Chinois encompasses a vinification cellar, office building, and a wine-tasting area for guests. The cellar’s design and equipment—including automatic sulfur dioxide dispensers, floating lid wine tanks, as well as small fermentation tanks, and automatic cap pressing machines for individual processing of uncommon grape varieties—are all provided by France.
The architectural design of the Domaine Franco-Chinois complex incorporates the stately gray of the Great Wall and the red hues of the Forbidden City. The modern design concept achieves a seamless fusion of classical and contemporary elements as well as Eastern and Western cultures.
Domaine Franco-Chinois primarily produces wines inspired by classic Bordeaux blends, distinguished by their harmony and elegance. The Réserve Dry Red and East Garden Dry Red are crafted using a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes.
Each grape variety contributes its unique attributes to the blend: Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure, concentrated tannins, and a lasting finish, resulting in a robust and rich wine; Merlot imparts a luscious aroma and a rounded body, lending the wine a softer quality; Cabernet Franc's herbaceous notes add complexity to the wine's aroma; and Petit Verdot enhances the wine's color and tannin profile. The expert blending of these varietals culminates in a synergistic creation where the sum is far greater than its individual contribution.
Over time, Domaine Franco-Chinois has developed a deep understanding of the region's terroir and grape varieties, allowing its wines to achieve a consistent level of sophistication and stability:
Thanks to over two decades of relentless exploration in viticulture and winemaking techniques, Domaine Franco-Chinois wines genuinely reflect the unique terroir attributes of Huailai. Garnering numerous awards in both domestic and international competitions, the estate has earned a reputation as the "cradle of Chinese Marselan" and the "pioneering and leading winery of Chinese Petit Manseng."
Zhao Desheng joined Domaine Franco-Chinois in 2001, and in 2002, he was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture to study Vine and Wine Engineering at ENITA de Bordeaux in France. Zhao earned his master’s degree in enology from China Agricultural University in 2009.
With over 20 years of experience in winemaking in the Huailai region of Hebei Province, Zhao possesses extensive knowledge of the local terroir and the adaptability of various grape varieties. His winemaking approach, steeped in Eastern philosophy, deftly balances action and inaction, modernity and tradition in balanced coexistence. Zhao’s remarkable talents and winemaking prowess have garnered him the prestigious title of China’s Winemaker of the Year, awarded by RVF and Bettane & Desseauve on multiple occasions.
Zhao remarked, “Each year, the weather varies, leading to differences in the fermentation process and blending ratios for each grape variety. While winemaking may seem repetitive, but new challenges, changes, and surprises arise each year. The one constant, however, is Domaine Franco-Chinois’ unwavering pursuit of impeccable quality.”