Long Dai, a State Gift Born from the Essence of Chinese Terroir

Earlier this month, during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to China, a bottle of Long Dai from Domaine de Long Dai in Shandong Province was presented as a state gift to President Xi Jinping. Domaine de Long Dai expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Xi for accepting this bottle, which symbolizes the fruitful collaboration between the two countries. Long Dai was born from this union—France and China, terroir and a village, man and wilderness—like a sacred mountain that rose through the power of nature but was carefully chiselled by human hands.

Saskia de Rothschild, CEO of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, was invited by President Macron to join the official delegation aboard the presidential plane to China. During the visit, discussions were held in the presence of French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard, highlighting the positive development of Chinese viticulture and the importance of Franco-Chinese collaboration in cultivating a robust wine culture in China.

Since establishing its roots in Shandong in 2008, DBR Lafite has upheld a sincere and unwavering belief: to craft a wine that authentically conveys the essence of Chinese terroir, rooted in the ancient land of Qi Lu, rich with millennia of history. The estate respects nature, follows the rhythms of the seasons, and patiently allows time to express itself, listening humbly to the silent process of fermentation that arises from the soil.

Over the past seventeen years, Domaine de Long Dai has worked in harmony with nature in the Qiu Shan Valley of Penglai. Each season is observed with care: the budding of grapes in spring, their ripening in summer, and the precise timing of harvest in autumn. The grapes are allowed to thrive freely through the timeless balance of sunshine, soil, and rainfall, with minimal intervention. Human hands step in only when necessary, always honoring the character of the terroir rather than imposing artificial change. The estate holds a deep belief that true terroir reveals itself only through the passage of time.

Born on Chinese soil, representing Chinese terroir, and expressing distinctly Chinese flavors, Long Dai stands as a cultural bridge—proudly connecting East and West in their shared pursuit of beauty, reverence for nature, historical legacy, and a long-term vision for the future. Its selection as a state gift is not only a recognition of Long Dai’s exceptional quality but also a tribute to the enduring value and promise of Chinese terroir.