Chinese family is keeping businessman's legacy alive in Portugal with winery

CGTN Europe

Wu Zhiwei was an entrepreneur from Macao who helped strengthen the relationship between China and Portugal.   He launched many businesses, including a winery. His family are keeping his legacy alive with his businesses.  CGTN’s Ken Browne tells us more  #China #Portugal

Transcript

00:00When Ou Jiwei and his wife Lao Chaopeng visited Portugal in 2013, they fell in love with the country.

00:07A Macau entrepreneur and construction expert, Wu knew more about building offices than blending wine.

00:14But when they saw the Quinta da Marmeleira estate 40 minutes from Lisbon,

00:18with its rolling green vineyards steeped in 500 years of history and culture, they were sold.

00:26In 2013, after the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi, we came to invest in Portugal.

00:36We chose here because of the good relations through Macau.

00:39When we arrived here in the Alengue region, it was late summer and the vineyards were full of grapes.

00:45We were so happy. That endless view of grapes, just looking at it makes you happy.

00:54The family moved here to make wine in Portugal partly because they could see the potential for the growth of the wine market in China

01:02and partly because of the lifestyle. I mean, look at it. Who wouldn't want to live here?

01:10A new dream matured quickly.

01:14Now that dream is a reality with award-winning wines.

01:18But tragedy struck last January when Wu Zhiwei passed away suddenly, aged just 57.

01:26The Portuguese government posthumously awarded him the Merit Medal for strengthening ties between Portugal and China.

01:34And the Macau business community called him a dynamic example of Luso-Chinese relations and a visionary businessman.

01:42His wife, Lao Chaopeng, and his daughter, Carmen, now run the family business, keeping Wu's bridge-building legacy alive.

01:51On the 25th anniversary of the peaceful return of Macau to China,

01:55we think that the friendly relationship and close ties between the two countries will continue to develop positively.

02:02We are very confident of that.

02:05Nearly 95% of all wine consumed in China is red wine,

02:09and Quinta da Marmalera produces soft, smooth reds using Syra Castelao and Tordiga Nacional grapes.

02:18Perfect for the Chinese palate.

02:22Over 300,000 bottles a year are corked here, with 65% going to China and Southeast Asia.

02:30Locally, the company employs around 40 people, creating Portuguese wine with a Cantonese accent

02:36that is deeply rooted in family and close relations that have been swirling for centuries.

02:42Ken Brown, CGTN, Alenquer, Portugal.

Category

Transcript

Recommended