The hidden winery tucked away in Ap Lei Chau

If you consider yourself a wine lover or you are interested to learn a little more about the oenology, a Winery located inside an industrial building in Ap Lei Chau is the place for you. At the only winery in the territory, you will be able to sample a range of delicious wines.

With the growing interest in this delicious grape-derived product, Hongkongers can now find palatable wines from a wide range of growing regions. While many might imagine that the climate of Hong Kong is not suitable for grapes, technology has lent a helping hand.

The winery has brought in not only grapes from quality wine-producing regions, notably parts of France and Australia, but also experienced winemakers. “Our Australian grapes from New South Wales were accompanied by [famous Australian winemaker] Celine Rousseau one vintage, and the other vintage from South Australia was taken care of by Eddie McDougall,” explains Lysanne Tusar, the winery’s chief marketing officer.

The brought-in grapes will undergo the same processes as in many wine-producing facilities across continents. After fermentation, for example, the fermented juices are stored in oak barrels for months, allowing them to mature.

Different grape varieties have been used, ranging from spicy white varieties including Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc to many of the most well-known red types including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, offering consumers an extensive selection of styles and flavours.

The 8th Estate winery currently produces 35,000 bottles per vintage, according to Tusar. In theory, the winery can make two vintages per year with grapes brought in from the northern and southern hemispheres, doubling production capacity. The winery seems happy to keep the practice of one vintage per year, though, as with most other wine-producing regions.