China is only the third country to put a manned space craft into space - on October 15, 2003 (Two additional manned flights since then).

Additionally, healthy practices including utilization of natural herbs acupuncture and a wide range of medicinal treatments. Tea drinking ceremonies and preparation of tea as well as distillation for brandy are other beverage highlights.

Li Bai (701-762) is one of the greatest names in Chinese literature. At the age of 25 he began travelling in the hope of meeting people of influence who would help him to realize his political ambitions and ideals. In 742 he was summoned to the Tang capital. In 755, Li joined the loyalist forces led by Prince Yong in an attempt to resist the An Lushan rebels. He used the conventional verse forms of the day and his poetry, which frequently contains a strong element of fantasy and the supernatural, is known for its lyrical, innovative imagery and great beauty of language. He wrote numerous poetic and lyrical works regarding wine as did many Chinese poets of this time.

Drinking Alone by Moonlight

Among the flowers a pot of wine,
I drink alone; no friend is by.
I raise my cup, invite the moon,
And my shadow; now we are three.
But the moon knows nothing of drinking,
And my shadow only apes my doings;
Yet moon and shadow shall be my company.
Spring is the time to have fun.

I sing, the moon lingers,
I dance, my shadow tangles,
While I'm still sober, we are gay together,
When I get drunk, we go our different ways.

We pledge a friendship no mortals know,
And swear to meet on heaven's SiIver River.

For winemaking it is important to have a few components. Firstly vineyards, wine making equipment technology, access to market, market understanding and people who can bring it all together.

China Silk has access to all these components in Xinjiang, China.

The vineyards are planted within the same latitudes of the regions of Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

While the history of china's winemaking goes back 5,000+ years it is important to realize that China is a new world wine producer in many ways.

Vineyards sites are still being investigated as to be the most suitable vineyards. As it currently stands China Silk has access to over 10,000 hectares of internationally accepted varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot. Also vineyard trials are ongoing on another 300 varieties from all over the world. Currently china is the world’s 6th largest wine grape producer. When you have such a massive selection of grapes to choose from you will have a very high level of final choice.

Vineyards also are worked by hand giving individual attention to each vine.

The Xinjiang Province in western China is acknowledged as the highest quality agricultural area of China. The region is separated by the rest of China by extensive desserts and surrounded by snow capped mountains. The dessert acts as a natural border and there is very little disease or pests in the vineyards each year.

The Tian Shan Mountains - among the highest in the world - supply a constant supply of the purest and freshest water within China. It is a pure and in some cases untouched area.

Additionally there is a program in place to implement full organic practices for grape and wine production - leading the way for China.

Winemaking technology has been invested within China on a massive scale.

Government investment of over US$ 175 Million in our winery technology has provided the largest vineyard in Asia.

Temperature controlled fermentation stainless steel, filtration technologies and French and American oak barrel programs makes us feel right at home - as if we were in Napa, Spain, Australia or Argentina.

In many cases we have technology and winery layouts that are superior to many "western" wineries. We have some examples of International/Sino technological collaborations currently undertaken by other wineries around the world as a result of our industry leading approach.

Winemakers - China Silk has a globally recognized winemaker who has worked on all 5 continents and over 25 vintages experience. He has recognized the potential of the grapes and wines there and sees the collaboration with this project as a way to make a major statement to the worlds producers. Additionally there is a French trained Winery Manager/Winemaker.

Market access is already underway with distributors in 14 US states and more and more interest being shown by retailers. There is already a readymade market for Chinese wines with the large Chinese populations internationally as well as an established food culture within the US.

While many people argue as to which wine goes with Chinese cuisine the answer is of course - Chinese wines!

China Silk has already won medals in US wine competitions - the only Chinese wines to do so - and has set its sights on winning many more!

China is still has some way to go to compete with the best wines in the world, but the change in wine quality over the last 5 years is unprecedented in any other country in the world.

It would be an error to think China cannot make great wines. Countries like Australia had no quality wine reputation internationally until 30 years ago and times change a lot faster now.

Internationally China has opened up to the world.

The actual translation for Xinjiang is "new frontier" and that is where we are headed.

The customer is ultimately the jury for wine quality.

Quality will be shown with repeat purchases of wine and we are very confident (and have proven that) when people taste the wines for the first time they are astounded at the quality and flavor.