- Wynn Palace hosted a two-day wine event titled “An Intoxicating Blend of Unique Wine Cultures | Douro Boys X Ningxia Girls” in January.
- The event showcased outstanding Chinese and Portuguese wines from nine renowned wineries.
In early January 2025, Wynn Palace hosted a two-day event titled “An Intoxicating Blend of Unique Wine Cultures | Douro Boys X Ningxia Girls”. Bringing together Douro Boys, a renowned collective of premier wineries from Portugal’s Douro Valley, and Ningxia Girls, comprising leading wineries from China’s Ningxia region, the event offered wine enthusiasts a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the fusion of two rich winemaking traditions.
This event marked the latest initiative under the annual “Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards” program, following successful past events such as “The Prestigious Perfection of Ningxia Wine”.
A Meeting of Wine Leaders
The event commenced with the “Douro Boys & Ningxia Girls Leaders Forum”, featuring representatives from five prominent Douro Valley wineries, namely Miguel Guedes De Almeida Holtreman Roquette – owner of Quinta do Crasto; Mariana Taveira Da Mota De Sousa Botto – export manager of Niepoort; João Roquette Alvares Ribeiro – representative of Quinta do Vallado; Francisco De Olazabal Almeida – owner of Quinta do Vale Meão; Cristiano José Seabra Van Zeller – owner of Van Zellers & Co alongside three Ningxia wineries: Lily Zhang – owner of Fei Tswei; Fang Wang – owner of Kanaan Winery; and Jing Zhang – winemaker of Helan Qingxue Winery.
For the first time, representatives from these two regions came together to share insights into their respective wine cultures. Discussions covered topics such as regional wine characteristics, marketing strategies, brand promotion, overseas market approaches and Gen Z consumer preferences.
Portuguese representatives praised Ningxia wines for their balance, freshness and innovative winemaking techniques, highlighting their immense potential. Chinese representatives, in turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Europe’s top-tier, multi-generational wineries. Both sides thanked Wynn for providing this platform and expressed hope for continued collaborations in the future.
Diverse Experiences Highlighting Wine Culture
The first day also featured Macau’s inaugural “Wine-blending Masterclass”, where representatives from Chinese and Portuguese wineries demonstrated the art of blending wines and guided attendees in crafting unique blends inspired by both regions.
On the second day, the “Wine Masterclass: Winemaking Techniques and Development” was co-hosted by David Xing MW, Asia’s youngest Master of Wine, and Portuguese winemaker Tiago Macena. The session explored the distinct winemaking methods of Ningxia and Douro Valley, fostering cross-cultural exchange.
A wine-tasting session showcased 25 premium wines from China and Portugal, setting the stage for the event’s grand finale – a spectacular wine dinner. The dinner featured a collaboration between Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung of Michelin-starred Chef Tam’s Seasons and renowned Macanese chef Raymond Vong. Their menu paired exquisite Cantonese and Portuguese dishes with exceptional wines from Ningxia and the Douro Valley, creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Guests also had the opportunity to explore wines at dedicated tasting stations and engage directly with winery representatives.
Launched in 2023, “Wynn Signature” is Wynn’s premium resort lifestyle brand. Under its umbrella, the “Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards” aims to promote Chinese wine culture and showcase the excellence of Chinese winemaking on the global stage, leveraging Macau’s status as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.
