Hometown of Stars, a TV series about the winemaking industry in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, features a vineyard operator, Ouyang Yixing (played by actress Pan Zhilin), and veteran winemaker, Shi Mingshan (by actor Wang Jinsong).[Photo provided to China Daily]

However, Yi disobeyed the rule once. During a preparation journey to a privately owned vineyard, Yi was warmly invited by the operator to taste a sip of the newly brewed wine.

"As the wine first touched my lips, it was enveloped in the aroma of chocolate. Taking another sip, I could sense the refreshing taste of caramel. After a couple more sips, I could also taste the sweet fragrance of pears and dates," she describes.

Yi learned that a variety of fruit trees have been planted alongside the vineyard. Thanks to bee pollination, the diverse flavors of these fruits blend with the grapes, enhancing the complexity and richness of the wine's taste.

"It dawned on me that wine is not just a beverage but also a 'messenger' that can encapsulate the essence of the terroir within the grapes," she says.

In an attempt to resonate with a wider audience of the younger generations, the series centers on a cellist, Ouyang Yixing, transitioning into the role of a vineyard operator following her father's car accident. Overcoming a string of obstacles and challenges, she, with the help of talented winemakers, embarks on a 15-year journey to establish her family-produced wines in the competitive global market.