Songtsam Cizhong Winery: A Decade of Perseverance from a Mountain Lodge to a Winery

Origin in Cizhong

In 2013, Songtsam Cizhong Mountain Lodge was completed in Cizhong Village on the banks of the Lancang River. With only 10 guest rooms, this lodge marked a pivotal stop on the Shangri-La travel loop crafted by Mr. Baima Dorjee, the founder of Songtsam. The Cizhong Church, centuries-old vineyards and cascading terraced fields form a unique cultural landscape that draws visitors from far and wide.

Transformation and Choice

Starting in 2010, the hydropower development of the Lancang River was launched to meet the needs of the national "West-East Power Transmission" strategy, leading to the overall relocation of Yanmen Township. Cizhong Village became a resettlement site, and its original natural landscape was altered by construction projects. Songtsam Cizhong Mountain Lodge lost the core scenery for which it was originally sited; what’s more, the surrounding area turned into a dusty construction zone with constant traffic due to the resettlement, causing a sharp drop in occupancy and pushing the lodge into operational distress. The company once considered closing or selling the property. However, many of the lodge’s employees had married local villagers and become permanent residents of Cizhong by then. What would become of their livelihoods if the lodge closed? In the end, the team resolved to stay and persevere.

A Turning Point: From Mountain Lodge to Winery

From 2023 onwards, Yunnan Shangri-La wine has gained growing renown, with its quality winning unanimous recognition from domestic wine industry experts and consumers. Cizhong’s centuries-old history of grape cultivation thus embraced a new opportunity. Grape cultivation and winemaking techniques were first introduced here by French missionaries in the mid-19th century. Later, Shangri-La Wine Industry settled in Deqin in 2000, followed by Ao Yun Winery in 2012, and subsequently more than 10 renowned wineries including Xiaoling Winery, Luodi Winery and Muxi Winery. Against this backdrop, Songtsam Group spotted a chance to transform Cizhong Mountain Lodge and resolved to develop a second business curve—renovating the lodge to build Songtsam Cizhong Winery, creating a one-of-a-kind "winery + hotel" composite business model within the Songtsam portfolio.

Wang Lifen, the hotel manager, recalled: "The renovation was almost a complete reconstruction of the entire space, giving it a brand-new look. We were once anxious about our livelihoods, but the transformation into a winery hotel has filled us all with confidence for our future work and life."

Guarding the Mountains, Guarding the People

During the transformation, Songtsam met Xiao Lin, the author of Guarding the Mountains, who has devoted 35 years to rooted himself in the Baima Snow Mountain, protecting its ecology and forests. He has witnessed firsthand the ecological damage caused by overgrazing and logging: grassland degradation, shrinking habitats of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, destruction of rare vegetation... Mr. Xiao Lin pointed out that grape cultivation provides an alternative livelihood for villagers, reducing the damage to the fragile natural resources. Developing the high-value-added grape cultivation and winemaking industry is a sustainable green economy.

Songtsam has integrated the philosophy of "Guarding the Mountains" into the winery’s operations:

1. RMB 10 is distributed to grape growers as a bonus for each bottle of wine sold;

2. The profit-sharing ratio is increased every decade to safeguard the villagers’ long-term income;

3. Income is directly distributed by the government to help farmers boost their earnings.

"Let employees step onto the world stage right at their doorsteps"—this is Songtsam’s promise to the villagers.

Another Aspect of Tibetan Wine Culture

In Tibetan culture, wine is a medium for conveying emotions. Songtsam believes: "Grapes turned into wine are a continuation of life. Aged in barrels, shared in glasses, they ultimately convey the flavors and beauty of nature."

The Birth of the First Wine

In September 2024, Songtsam harvested its first batch of wine grapes. In May 2025, Songtsam’s first wine—Songtsam Chardonnay Dry White Wine—was launched. Produced in Hongpo Village of Baima Snow Mountain at an altitude of 2,700 meters, with a direct view of the Goddess Peak of Meili Snow Mountain, this dry white wine is irrigated by glacial meltwater and nurtured by a cool climate, endowing the Chardonnay with a unique pure plateau fruit aroma and a clean taste with subtle yet complex mineral notes.

Songtsam’s Philosophy

From a mountain lodge to a winery, Songtsam has always adhered to the principle of "rooting in the land and connecting with villages". Mechanisms such as hotel profit sharing, agricultural product procurement and winery dividend distribution enable villagers to obtain sustainable income without leaving their hometowns. As the founder put it: "The simplest way to gain happiness is to bring happiness to others."

Songtsam Cizhong Winery does more than brew wine; it brews a commitment to guarding the land, life and culture.