Silver Heights | East Helan Mountains, Ningxia
Silver Heights is a significant name in Chinese fine wine, with deep roots in Ningxia’s East Helan Mountain appellation. Founded in 2007 by Gao Lin and his daughter, Emma Gao, the winery seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Emma, trained in Bordeaux, has brought an artisanal, low-intervention philosophy to Silver Heights, championing organic and biodynamic practices.
With vineyards spread across 70 hectares, the estate produces elegant, terroir-driven wines, including its acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The dry continental climate and high-altitude vineyards lend themselves to wines of purity and structure, while wild yeast fermentations and minimal sulfur use ensure authenticity in every bottle.
Silver Heights stands as a beacon of China’s evolving wine scene—where craftsmanship meets sustainability, and the land itself speaks through the wine.
Wines
Silver Heights, Bloom Pet-Nat 2023 ●●
A vibrant and unconventional sparkling wine, blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Ningxia rice wine in a finely tuned expression. Succulent golden peach, melon, and ripe pear form the aromatic core, while a subtle touch of toasted rice adds an intriguing savoury element. The Chardonnay component, with extended skin contact, enhances the wine’s texture, while the fine mousse delivers a lively, refreshing mouthfeel. Crisp acidity and an off-dry lift create an uplifting, elegant finish.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rice Wine | 750 ml | 12.0% abv
Silver Heights, Jia Yuan Pinot Noir 2021 ●
Wild yeast fermentation at cool temperatures preserves this Pinot Noir’s delicate aromatics, followed by 12 months of aging in one-year-old French oak and qvevri. Sour plum and ripe raspberries mingle with subtle cedar on the nose, leading to a refined palate with vibrant acidity. Elegant and poised, it finishes long and gracefully, showcasing true varietal finesse.
Pinot Noir | 750 ml | 13.0% abv
Silver Heights, Jia Yuan Marselan 2021/22 ●
This Marselan presents a commanding presence, with a nose of ripe blackberry, black plum, and dried prune interwoven with hints of licorice and black pepper. The palate is structured yet expressive, with bold, masculine tannins framing a core of dark fruit. Layers of tobacco, camphor wood, and roasted coffee emerge, adding complexity to the long, spiced finish. Aged for 12 months in French oak, this wine is built for both immediate impact and long-term aging potential.
Marselan| 750 ml | 13.5% abv
Silver Heights, Family Reserve Chardonnay 2021/22 ●
A precise and elegantly structured Chardonnay, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship behind its creation. Green apple and citrus zest introduce a crisp, lively entry, while layers of ripe papaya, banana, and apricot unfold, adding depth and tropical richness. The eight-month aging in new Burgundy oak lends a creamy, well-integrated texture, balancing fruit purity with delicate vanilla and toasted almond nuances. A wine of poise and refinement, offering a long, seamless finish with lingering minerality.
Chardonnay| 750 ml | 12.5% abv
Silver Heights, Family Reserve Red 2020 ●
With an air of quiet confidence, Family Reserve Red 2020 draws you into its layered depths. Dark cherries and blackberries form the core, woven with the smokiness of dried tea leaves and the warmth of aged cedar. The tannins, firm and sculpted, bring to mind the rugged texture of stone, while a bright, lifted acidity lends the wine its tensile grace. As the finish unfolds, a savory complexity lingers—herbs, spice, and a whisper of earth—marking this as a wine of both power and patience, with years of evolution ahead.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot| 750 ml | 15.0% abv
Silver Heights, The Summit 2020 ●
The Summit 2020 is a testament to concentration and finesse. Dark cherry and cassis form the core of the palate, layered with fennel, violet, and a whisper of roasted coffee. The oak influence lends a subtle smokiness, integrating seamlessly with the wine’s firm yet polished tannins. Aged for 18 months in a 50/50 mix of new and one-year-old French oak barrels, it carries a structured richness balanced by fresh acidity. The finish is long and savoury, with hints of graphite and spice, promising further complexity with 3–5 years of cellaring.
Cabernet Sauvignon| 750 ml | 14.5% abv
Silver Heights, Emma Reserve 2018 ●
A wine of commanding presence, Emma’s Reserve 2018 unveils a deep, brooding core of blackberry and mulberry, softened by the sun-warmed sweetness of dried apricot. The scent of pine resin lingers, like the whisper of an ancient forest. On the palate, a structured elegance unfolds—hawthorn-like acidity crackles against the plush weight of ripe fruit, while finely grained tannins emerge, seasoned with clove, fennel, and a wisp of peppery spice. The finish is long, contemplative, and quietly powerful, echoing the depth and finesse of a grand Bordeaux.
Cabernet Sauvignon| 750 ml | 15.0% abv