Fred Nauleau, a French winemaker deeply rooted in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has played a pivotal role in propelling Xinjiang wine onto the global stage.
Nauleau’s days are consumed with nurturing vines and overseeing irrigation at vineyards nestled in the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains in Manas county, anticipating a plentiful harvest in the autumn. Reflecting on his journey, he expressed his profound affection for the region’s grapes, cultivated over his more than 20 years of residency. “Having toiled and lived in Xinjiang for over two decades, I’ve developed an unwavering fondness for the local grapes,” he shared.
Hailing from a winemaking lineage in France’s illustrious Loire Valley, Nauleau’s passion for wine burgeoned from a young age. His journey to Xinjiang began in the summer of 2000 when he joined a wine company in the region.
Xinjiang, situated at a latitude akin to Bordeaux and California, boasts ideal conditions for winemaking. “Wines crafted in Xinjiang exhibit high sugar content, low acidity, an exuberant fruity bouquet, and a refined, velvety tannin structure,” Nauleau remarked.
Upon his arrival, the seasoned winemaker encountered initial hurdles stemming from linguistic disparities. Overcoming this barrier, he resorted to visual aids, utilizing drawings to elucidate production protocols. Undeterred by challenges, he collaborated with local technicians to craft award-winning wines imbued with distinctive regional traits.
“Today, our wines have embarked on a global odyssey, gracing tables in countries like the United States and Belgium,” Nauleau proudly proclaimed, highlighting Xinjiang wine’s burgeoning popularity in France owing to its unparalleled flavor profile.
In recognition of his meritorious contributions, Nauleau was bestowed with the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2010, the highest accolade conferred upon foreign experts for their exceptional role in China’s modernization endeavors. Describing this honor as a profound source of inspiration, he vowed to continue his pursuit of excellence.
Nauleau, who married a local woman and is now a father of two, considers China his second home, embracing local delicacies such as pilaf and baked buns. Looking ahead, his aspiration remains unwavering: to create an iconic Xinjiang wine that epitomizes the region’s distinct winemaking heritage.
