Lin Shitong (left) checking the brewing rice wine with a wine master

The wine-making technique dates back to 100 years ago. Lin Shitong, general manager of Fujian Haitan Wine Co recollected in an interview, according to his genealogy, his great-grandfather Lin Yizhu received a secret recipe from an out-of-towner from Zhejiang province who made a trip to Pingtan to investigate the rice wine market but encountered bad weather. Lin Yizhu came to his rescue and provided shelter. The outsider was grateful. Afterwards, he travelled between Pingtan and Zhejiang on a regular basis. Every time he came to Pingtan, he would go to Lin Yizhu's residence to rest. Over time, he handed down the secret to his ancestral brew and helped Lin Yizhu get brewing equipment.

Under the guidance of the outsider, Lin Yizhu started to work day and night to make wine and hawked them around with a shoulder pole every day.

Talking about the value of rice wine, Lin Shitong recalled, "I heard my father say that only the rich could afford rice wine while average households served it on important occasions in the early days. Wine was sought after in Pingtan. One catty of wine could be exchanged for double the amount of rice." 

Many people would like to make a fortune from the trade. In 1994, there were 7 home-based breweries in Pingtan.

In order to inherit this technique, after graduating from junior high school, Lin Shitong went to Zhejiang to learn more wine-making techniques.

In 1992, with the support of the elders in the family, Lin returned to Pingtan to expand the brewery. In 1997, the trademark “Haitan” was registered. In 2014, Lin founded Fujian Haitan Wine Co based on the brewery.

With excellent brewing skills and professional integrity, the company’s products become well-known both at home and abroad. Its portfolio has occupied most of the Chinese market.

In addition, over the years, the products have been doing well in Chinese gathering areas from Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asian countries, creating an annual economic value of over 30 million yuan.

 "There is a long road ahead. I will also try to take up liquor like baijiu (or distilled spirit),” Lin Shitong said.

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