Ao Yun – Shangri-La • Yunnan

LVMH’s pioneering Himalayan Grand Vin at 2,100–2,600 meters

Created by LVMH and released commercially for the first time in 2014, Ao Yun is one of the most ambitious wine projects ever undertaken in Asia. Its vineyards, perched between 2,100 and 2,600 meters above sea level in northern Yunnan, near Shangri-La and the foothills of the Himalayas, produce a red wine of remarkable depth, purity and altitude-driven freshness.

Conceived as a “Chinese Grand Cru”, Ao Yun was established after several years of exploration across China to identify a truly world-class terroir. The extreme altitude, intense sunlight, cool nights and mosaic of soils form the backbone of a wine that has rapidly gained international recognition among collectors.

Today, Ao Yun stands as China’s most prestigious high-altitude wine estate, producing Cabernet-based blends of great structure, precision and longevity.

Terroir & Vineyard

The vineyard covers 27–30 hectares of terraced plots located in the UNESCO-listed “Three Parallel Rivers” area, one of the world’s most dramatic wine-growing landscapes.

Four Tibetan villages:

• Xidang – approx. 2,200 m
• Sinong – approx. 2,300 m
• Shuori – approx. 2,500 m
• Adong – approx. 2,600 m

Soils:

• deep gravels and alluvial stones,
• sandy terraces,
• calcareous and sandy-limestone zones,
• high-drainage rocky subsoils.

The microclimate is dry and luminous, with intense UV exposure and cool nights that preserve acidity. This combination yields thick skins, slow ripening and a naturally high concentration of phenolics.

Philosophy & Viticulture

All vineyards are farmed manually due to the steep terraces. Viticulture is organic in spirit, increasingly regenerative, and deeply rooted in collaboration with local Tibetan families.

• no herbicides,
• manual soil management,
• strict parcel-by-parcel monitoring,
• very low yields,
• full manual harvest.

The estate combines Burgundian parcel precision with the Bordeaux art of blending, under the direction of winemaker Maxence Dulou.

Winemaking & Ageing

Each micro-parcel is vinified separately. The reduced atmospheric pressure at altitude affects extraction and oxygen transfer, leading Ao Yun to use unconventional vessels such as terra-cotta jars and traditional Chinese baijiu containers alongside oak.

• parcel-specific fermentations,
• gravity-flow movements,
• gentle extractions tailored to each site,
• ageing in jars, vats and French oak barrels,
• significant but well-integrated new oak, adjusted yearly.

Only a strict selection of the harvest is retained for the Grand Vin, ensuring purity, depth and balance.

Wine Style

Red Wines

• dense black fruit (cassis, blackberry),
• silky yet structured tannins,
• freshness from altitude,
• spice, incense, mineral undertones,
• long ageing potential.

Iconic Wines

Ao Yun – Grand Vin
The estate’s flagship wine: deep, structured, vibrant, combining density with striking high-altitude freshness.

Single-Village Cuvées
Wines highlighting the distinct identities of Xidang, Sinong, Shuori and Adong.

Adong Chardonnay (limited)
A confidential high-altitude white exploring the potential of the Himalayan terraces.

Conclusion

Ao Yun stands today as one of the most compelling wine estates in Asia: a high-altitude Grand Vin shaped by Himalayan light, Tibetan terroirs and LVMH precision. Its wines combine density, freshness and elegance, offering a unique expression of the Mekong Valley and a remarkable addition to the world of fine wine.