When Maria Ponce swapped Chile’s vineyards for northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2021, she thought it’d be a six-month adventure. Three years later? She’s still there—and thriving. 🌄
Ningxia’s Helan Mountains, with their golden sunshine 🌞 and dramatic temperature swings, became Maria’s canvas for crafting a bold new wine style she calls the "Ningxia expression." Blending Chilean expertise with local terroir, she’s redefining what Asian wines can be. 🍇
"It’s like discovering a secret recipe," Maria says, grinning. "The land here challenges you, but the results? Pure magic."
Her story mirrors Ningxia’s rise as a global wine hotspot. With 30 major import-export players and 2024 exports hitting 13.75 million yuan ($1.92M), the region is pouring its heart into the world’s glasses. 🥂
For Maria, it’s not just about the wine—it’s the connection. "Ningxia’s people and landscapes stole my heart," she admits. "Now I’m here to share its story, one bottle at a time."
