Ep. 345 Emma Gao

Italian wine podcast. Chinchin with Italian wine people. Hello. This is the Italian wine podcast. My guest today is a very special guest. Can you tell me your name, please? I am Emma Gao from Massila Heights. In China and in India region. Just explain whereabouts in China that is then. It's in the north central of China close to the Mongolia in terror. Between the council and the shanxi. And they're both rivers, I guess. Yeah? Yes. It's, quite north. Yeah. Okay. So your winery is called Silver Heights. Can you describe silver Heights, the the vineyards, and also the wines that you produce. Yeah. Silver Heights, because we are on the altitude. It's a special unique table of our region, our city called Silver Valley. So in Chuan, that's why it's a silver. It's also because winter you just know, and, summer is a sunlight, lot of sunlight. Then height, we are on a high altitude above one thousand two hundred meters This makes the sunlight intensity and the radiation stronger. Then Heights, also because our family name is Heights, Gao, Emma Gao. It's a family story. It's also the unique evolution of Minisha and the dramatic generational change in China. Nikita Go, my father had a vision to explore a Viticulture here in our region. He found the best land for High caliber leduculture. He sent me to the university to Center Bettersburg, then for onology degree in Bordeaux where I could study the best of making practices through, France. Returning back to home. Our mission was to create the world class artisanal one that shows the potential of our du hoc. Then we started two thousand and seven, two thousand and seven. So we do with a virgin land forming, organically, then, eventually incorporate biodynamic practices to nurture the ecosystem and the reality of our ones. We also respect our traditional one hundred and twenty four solar terms, trying to balance in and young. Also, the, aesthetic change. So let me ask you another question. Are you making all this wine? Where do you sell the wine. Is it mainly in the Chinese market or for export? Our first market is, of course, China, but we are now distributed in several important markets, such as London, Sweden, the mark, Canada, France, Australia, Singapore, Japan and Korea. We're looking for Russia and the Germany for this year, but due to COVID nineteen and the global concern to health and the economy, we will probably need to post a phone to, until twenty one. For Italy, we were, yeah, for Italy, we're going to work with Jacobo Bandolfini, Italian Sala, and this one should be available by the end of this year. So next question, how are companies such as yours driving the winemaking industry in China? I feel proud and honorable that people appreciate what we're doing. It's very rewarding when, the one critics taster through, collection of our one, then they can understand the quality, they can taste the purity, or why it's curated from nature, and you cannot cheat the process. It starts from the linear and less chemical things, natural yeast, than low intervention, low sulfur, no nutrition, I'm passionate what I'm doing, and I start to make one more elegant, balanced, and the emotion. Yeah. I cannot see if we are driving the industry. It is, hurting that if our efforts can help other Chinese wandering focus on quality and natural one may adopt. What are the characteristics of Nynxia province? And how is the Nynxia region developed into a wine producing area? It's fortunate to have the right to walk of each culture. It's a unique climate, variation of the soil, high altitude, as I mentioned, then Lynxia is a agriculture area for the cake, and this was experimenting with agriculture since, eighties, but we are proud to be a part of the more than one movement in China and to help to get our region knowledgeable in the world atlas of one to be a serious escalation for quality one. So you mentioned, your studies in Bordeaux. Is it correct to say that Nintia has been influenced by French winemaking styles? Oh, Nintia has its own has its own culture and its own ecological, diversity. I believe the good one can be emotion and can tell a story about the time and place. For sure, traditional French method, it's I trained there. So we do bottle blend. Then we try now with, some other varieties, Malbec, Marcelyn, Conash, Sia, chardonnay pinot noir. So we, yeah, we're trying to figure out what is the best suitable for our region. Do you think Italian grape varieties will ever play a role in Chinese wine production? Yes. We've seen success with our Italian wrestling wise, which goes into the last world as white. This one is purred by glass and the higher hotels throughout China. Then in China, I noticed that Here's many wondering has also planted the muscato. Literally I'm going following the process of my central visit planting, where we are not sure yet, but, hopefully, the dry sunny environment of Ninsha is comparable to its home to in Tuscana. Excellent. Do you have any thoughts about Italian food and Chinese wine pairings? I have Italian friends that love to pair our chardonnay reserve with, others love to pair our MS reserve with Also, I love to pair the summit with your amazing cheese risotto. Okay. So when you were studying analogy in France, just give us a story from that time? Yes. I I I was fortunate to have training in Bordeaux, where, you have to learn rigorous theory and the technical skills. I was able to, be interned and prestigious Chateau, such as, Chateau Kalon Seguur, Chateau La von Jose. But honestly, I'm more recently captivated by Italian wise. The diversity of style diversity of group varieties. I'm so I'm excited to follow the AIA training to explain my understanding of the beauty and culture of Italy Right. We have something in common. I studied in Bordeaux just like you, and I've ended up in Italy just like you. So we have a lot in common. Okay. So, next question, before Silver Heights, do you worked in the city, for a wine importer. Is that correct? Yes. Torres. I, I've been working for tourists Shanghai for two years. And and what so what was just briefly? What were you doing there? Were you selling wine or what were you do what was your what was your role? I was a training manager. So Torres is a amazing family, but also a leading international one brand. With global operations. My boss Alberto who pursued me to continue to make my wine, so he fired me. Yes. Because I'm not a good, good selling, cells, then, hey, hey, taste my wine, hey, explain to, explain the potential equality he felt. It's my family once. So, thanks stories. They help us to develop a lasting lasting sales channels in top hotel and restaurant groups in China. I remember how the GM Damien shoe personally carried out once to US. For sharing with Robert Parker to get his tasting note. And also to London share with James Robinson for her feedback. We grow up like that over the years, and we're very grateful for their support. So you've changed from a sort of urban city life to a rural life. How do they compare? So I grew up here in my region in Chuan, a small provincial city along the majesty yellow river with a dramatic Corona mountain. I suppose they can understand the area. I appreciate nature and I respect for the balance. I also maintain, my health through the cultivating my tai chi practice. I'm proud of my root here. I enjoy the food landscape. So, Yeah. But I'm able to spend time also works in cities like Shanghai for promotion. I also had already fell in love with one making and the range of life work. It's afford. Making one allow you to be connected with nature in touch with the seasons, but it also require being able to travel and pre prison the other one professionally in, surface ticket circles. I'm joined being a ambassador. Yeah. I'm joined being a ambassador for my family and our wife. And they made good people around the world. Okay. We're talking of people. Obviously, you're very into your Italian wine, and you're currently pursuing the Ven Italy International Academy, study program. How is that training helped you in your business. Wow. I love Italy. Italy have a beautiful way of storytelling and for passionate to share the quality of their regions. They're good food and why it's very useful for our inspiration. Italy has a ancient history route, such regional variation in culture, such a wide range of sophisticated, sophistical artisanal wines and food. We learn from the IA training. It's very difficult to have the exams because it's so rich culture here. The academy helped me have a stronger understanding of this complicated but beautiful country. I'm very grateful for Steve King and all the supporting organizations for this. K. Well, we want to say thank you to you today for speaking to us, Emma, and telling us a little bit about, Silver Heights winery and and all things Chinese. And also your love, which clearly comes through, for Italian wine. And hopefully, I can come and visit you one day on a personal note. Yes, please. We can talk little bit we can talk a bit about Biodynamics and we can see what we can do. Yes, Mandy. Yeah. Master, Mandy. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Have a wonderful interview, E. It's been lovely talking to you. Thank you. You too. Thank you. Bye. 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