During the 2025 GWTO Enotourism Conference, Catherine Leparmentier, managing director of GWC, gets a closer look at Yantai's wine industry development. [Photo/WeChat account: ytrb-shcj]

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network (GWC) has formally admitted Yantai in East China's Shandong province as its first observer member, making the coastal city the first Asian representative in this prestigious alliance.

With this admission, Yantai now stands alongside 12 renowned wine regions including Bordeaux in France, Napa Valley in the United States, Adelaide in Australia, and Mainz in Germany.

The decision follows a successful inspection tour in July 2025, during which GWC delegates visited leading enterprises like Changyu and several boutique wineries in Yantai.

"Yantai's development scale and professional standards are remarkable," said Catherine Leparmentier, managing director of GWC, after the visit.

"This admission acknowledges Yantai's remarkable progress in sustainable wine tourism and its alignment with our network's values," said a GWC representative. The coastal city, with its 133-year winemaking heritage, produces 40 percent of China's wine and accounts for 60 percent of national wine sales.

The observer status represents Yantai's latest international achievement. The city has systematically engaged with the GWC since 2019 and was previously recognized as an "International Vine & Wine City" and "International Enotourism Destination".