German Grapes Flourish in China

Marc Linden shows local farmers how to graft grapes with a machine. Li Zongxian

Aspiration of Two Generations

Thanks to the efforts of Gorres and Beu, the connection between Germany and China has been securely forged and cooperation has been passed on to the next generation.

Marc Linden, Gorres’ grandson, said he and his wife first visited the vineyard in August 2010 when the statue of his grandfather was erected. Linden took over the family winemaking business after his grandfather passed away in 2009. As well as the business, he also inherited his grandfather’s mission as the technology expert for the Norbert-Hans Vineyard. He authorized it to use their family business label for free – Vineyard Sonnenberg – a famous German brand with more than 500 years of history.

Gorres used to run the family vineyard in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, a district in the north of Germany famous for wine production. “Wine Professor” Gorres enjoys a high reputation among local people. German ex-chancellor Gerhard Schroeder even awarded him the Federal Cross of Merit, the most distinguished honor in Germany.

Last March, Linden was thrilled to hear his grandfather’s story had been mentioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to Germany. “Many rural families now have better living conditions through developing viticulture based on my grandfather’s work. It is a great honor to be commemorated by Chinese people,” Linden said.

“In my grandfather’s heart, China was his second hometown. I can see why. I can’t help falling in love with this fantastic land and hospitable locals.”

With talents in viticulture inherited from Gorres, Linden is a certified winemaker. Linden now follows in his grandfather’s footsteps by helping local farmers in Shandong grow grapes and make world-class wines.

According to Linden, to produce top quality wine, soil nurturing is the first step. Owing to 10-plus years of diligence by Linden’s grandfather in this respect, the wine industry in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler has been successfully upgraded.

“My grandfather’s insights are reflected in the viticulture mission here in China. It takes a long time to cultivate fine wine; so does friendship between Ahrweiler in Germany and Zaozhuang in China,” Linden said. “I intend to continue to share my grandfather’s vision and experience.”