Xiban | East Helan Mountains, Ningxia
Xiban is restless by nature.
Set on the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, where the desert presses close and the Yellow River breathes life into the land, Xiban Winery was born from a refusal to stand still. This is a place shaped by tension — mountain and plain, restraint and abundance — and Xiban embraces it head-on.
The Helan Mountains rise like a protective spine behind the vineyards, shielding them from harsh winds while trapping heat and light during the day. Sunshine is intense, rainfall scarce, and nights fall cool and clear. Vines are pushed to dig deep, to struggle, to adapt — and in doing so, they find focus. What emerges is fruit of clarity, ripeness, and structure, carrying the unmistakable stamp of Ningxia’s extreme continental climate.
Xiban works block by block, vine by vine, treating the vineyard as a living organism rather than a production site. Yields are controlled, harvesting is done by hand, and decisions are driven by instinct as much as by data. The goal is not to overpower the land, but to listen — to translate Helan Mountain East into wines that feel confident, precise, and alive.
There is an unmistakable sense of momentum here. Xiban does not look backwards for validation; it looks forward, believing Ningxia is not merely China’s benchmark wine region, but one of its most exciting frontiers. These are wines shaped by discipline and ambition, yet animated by the raw energy of their place — wines that speak with a clear, modern voice, grounded firmly in the land that raised them.
Wines
Xiban, Chardonnay 2024 ●
A clear lemon-yellow hue. Fermented and aged on lees for six months without any oak, it reveals layered aromas of citrus—lemon and subtle tropical fruits—alongside pineapple, melon, and white peach, interwoven with gentle notes of bread and biscuit from the lees. The palate is bright and refreshing, finely structured, with balanced acidity (6.4 g/L) and a touch of residual sugar (1.3 g/L), offering a crisp, nuanced mouthfeel that is both lively and elegant. Expressive yet restrained, it captures the essence of the Pigeon Mountain vineyard, delivering a clean, invigorating experience with a natural, enduring charm.
Chardonnay | 750 ml | 14.0% abv
Xiban, ‘Happy Forever’ Marselan 2020 ●
The 2020 Happy Forever Marselan from Qingtongxia, Helan Mountain East, presents a deep, purple-red hue, reminiscent of an elegant evening gown. Its aroma is rich and expressive, bursting with blackberries, dark jammy fruits, and subtle vanilla notes from 18 months in French and American oak barrels. The palate is tightly structured yet silky, with soft, chocolate-like tannins weaving through vibrant fruit and gentle oak, balanced by 6.5 g/L acidity and 3.8 g/L residual sugar. Layers of ripe black fruit and gentle oak meld seamlessly, creating a full-bodied, flowing experience with a warm, lingering finish.
Marselan | 750 ml | 15.0% abv
Xiban, ‘Happy Forever’ Syrah 2019 ●
The 2020 Happy Forever Syrah from Qingtongxia, Helan Mountain East, shines with a deep ruby color. Its bouquet unfolds with fresh red plum and blackberry, gradually giving way to subtle notes of toasted oak and sweet spice from 18 months in 50% new French and American barrels. On the palate, the wine is rounded and silky, with velvety tannins and lively acidity (6.2 g/L) balanced by 4.3 g/L residual sugar, creating a long, harmonious finish. Rich yet elegant, it reveals a layered complexity where fruit, oak, and spice interplay seamlessly. At 14.5% alcohol, Happy Forever Syrah is approachable in youth while structured enough for careful short-term ageing.
Syrah | 750 ml | 14.5% abv
Xiban, ‘No.1’ Tempranillo 2022 ●
The 2022 Xiban No.1 Dry Red from Qingtongxia, Helan Mountain East, shows a vibrant ruby hue and opens with fresh strawberry and cherry aromas, underpinned by subtle red florals. After a few minutes of aeration, gentle notes of chocolate and toasted oak emerge, the result of 8 months in 100% new French and American oak barrels. On the palate, velvety tannins and lively acidity (6.2 g/L) create a precise, balanced structure, while a touch of residual sugar (3 g/L) adds soft sweetness. The wine is tender yet confident, with richness and elegance in equal measure. Chocolate, oak, and pure red fruit meld into a lingering, meditative finish. At 14.5% alcohol, it is approachable in youth yet structured for short-term ageing. Only 3600 bottles were produced, capturing the essence of Ningxia’s sun, soil, and spirit in every sip.
Tempranillo (94%), Marselan | 750 ml | 14.5% abv
From left to right: amphora Chardonnay, Suyan Chardonnay, Jingfan Chardonnay, macerated Chardonnay, not sure what that is, 2560 Cabernet. Yes, Quan likes to experiment.