Cardwell Cellars, Periphery Wine Imports and Fancy Fine Wine are bringing the hottest winemaker from China, Ian Dai Hongjing of 小圃 XiaoPu wines, to Melbourne!

On the night, Ian Dai Hongjing will be pouring over 11 different cuvées from his 小圃 Xiao Pu label.

Wine and dinner included in ticket price. Please note dietary requirements at ticket purchase.

Dinner by Jo Chan.

About 小圃 XiaoPu

Founded in 2017 by ex-sommelier Ian Dai Hongjing, 小圃 XiaoPu wines is a travelling negoçiant / 'nomad winery' that challenges preconceived notions of wine as a luxury product. He instead produces idiosyncratic cuvées that experiment with extended maceration, alternative varieties, and multi-vintage blending.
小圃 XiaoPu wines are unpretentious, playful, and free-spirited. They are the product of nature, made with sustainable practices and respect for the land and its people. Like Anthony Tortul’s ‘La Sorga’, 小圃 Xiao Pu work with long-term partners who share the vision of sustainable agriculture and modern farming philosophies.

"Normally, people buy land, plant their vineyards, build their winery and then build their brand. They repeat this year after year because they want the same label, the same piece of land, the same grape. I’m not bound to any of that, so I can try many things. That’s what I’m doing right now.” - Ian Dai Hongjing

Since 2017 Ian Dai has been producing wines across 6 sites in 5 other provinces, including Huailai (Hebei), Qingtong Valley (Ningxia), Tianshui (Gansu), Xiaojin (Sichuan), Shangri-la (Yunnan), and Derong (Sichuan). The typical harvest season takes meticulous planning with overnight train trips, early-hour crushes, afternoon flights and midnight pickings. During the height of harvest, Ian will visit eight provinces in less than a week.

In recent years, Ian Dai Hongjing has established the 'Young Generation China Wine Group' and spearheaded the alternative winemaking movement in China. Inspired by his vintage work overseas, Ian is providing guidance to producers experimenting with tea-infused pet nats, connecting with 'old school' varietals like Black Muscat and Longyan, and using alternative oak barrels made from Chinese wood.

"Every day, the deep cup is full of wine, and the flowers bloom in the small garden. From the song, from the dance, from the laugh - unfettered." - 小圃 XiaoPu

About Periphery Wine Imports

Established in 2024 by Hamish Williams to bring diversity to the wine market and disrupt the status quo, Periphery Wine Imports is set to be the co-importer of 小圃 XiaoPu.

His aim is to bring awareness to wines from new, alternative, and emerging markets - including wines deserving international recognition from China.

About Fancy Fine Wine

Francesco Tang is one of the few importers currently focussed on Chinese wine in Australia. His expertise and passion make him an emerging spokesperson for wine from China, currently exhibited through his distribution of Xige Estate. Fancy Fine Wine is set to be the co-importer of 小圃 XiaoPu.