On April 1, 2026, Wynn Signature – the premium experience brand under Wynn Resorts – unveiled the gold, silver, and bronze award winners of the 2026 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. Two flagship wines from Lumead Winery, namely Huanfu · Spring & Autumn Series Syrah Cellared Dry Red and Huanfu · Mountains & Rivers Series Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Cellared Dry Red, were both awarded gold medals. This achievement marks the continuous recognition of the high quality of the Golden Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills wine region on an internationally authoritative stage.
As the world’s largest professional competition dedicated to Chinese wines, the Wynn Signature Awards upholds the core philosophy of “International Standards, Chinese Expression”, building a bridge for China’s premium wines to enter the global arena. This year’s event attracted nearly 180 Chinese wineries, with more than 800 wines entered, setting a new record for scale.
The judging panel comprises 23 world-renowned wine authorities, including 11 Masters of Wine (MW), 2 Masters of Sommeliers (MS), 1 expert holding dual MW and MS certifications, plus numerous internationally celebrated winemakers, educators, buyers and professional media members – all selected through rigorous screening.
Adopting international standard blind tasting and a 100-point scoring system:
Bronze: 85–89 points
Silver: 90–94 points
Gold: 95–100 points
A total of 74 Chinese wines were awarded gold medals this year, doubling from 35 last year, fully reflecting the remarkable improvement in the overall quality of Chinese wines. The dual gold medals earned by Huanfu · Spring & Autumn and Huanfu · Mountains & Rivers firmly confirm Lumead Winery’s outstanding capabilities in high-end winemaking.
Huanfu · Spring & Autumn Series Syrah Cellared Dry Red
This wine is crafted from old-vine Syrah from single-vineyard plots in the core production base of Qingtongxia, located in the heart of the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills. The region boasts 3,039.6 hours of annual sunshine, significant diurnal temperature variation, and accumulated temperature above 3,350℃ during the growing season.
The soil is mainly sierozem and sandy soil with high gravel content, offering excellent drainage that drives deep root penetration, lending the wine a distinctive mineral character. Aged for
14 months in oak barrels and
6 months in bottle before release, it delivers a smooth palate with refined tannins.
Toasty oak aromas intertwine with blackberry and violet notes; after proper aeration, fresh, grass-like, post-rain scents emerge, creating an exceptionally complex aromatic profile. Made from 100% Syrah at 15.5% ABV and sealed with an elongated natural cork, it exhibits outstanding aging potential.
Huanfu · Mountains & Rivers Series Cabernet Sauvignon Blend Cellared Dry Red
Also from the Qingtongxia base, this wine is blended around Cabernet Sauvignon – the backbone variety of premium red wines, prized for its firm structure and excellent aging ability. The blend results in a full-bodied yet elegant wine with a deep pomegranate hue.
Layers of blackcurrant, tobacco and cigar box notes unfold gradually, supported by a powerful structure and firm tannins. It stands as an exemplary expression of premium Cabernet Sauvignon blends from the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills.
These two gold-medal wines have advanced to the final round of the competition, competing for 36 annual top awards including:
Best Chinese Wine of the Year
Wynn Signature Award
Outstanding Variety Award
Regional Champion Award
Wynn Sommelier Selection
Outstanding Young Winemaker
The 2026 Wynn Signature Awards Ceremony will be grandly held on April 24 at Wynn Palace Macao, where all 36 annual awards will be announced.
On April 25, a series of highlight events will be held featuring the gold-medal winning wines:
“Signature Dialogue: Where to Go After Glory” Chinese Wine Forum, hosted by MW Xing Wei, with in-depth discussions with winning winery representatives.
A grand tasting gathering of all gold-medal wines, where industry professionals and wine enthusiasts can experience the outstanding quality and diverse styles of Chinese wines firsthand.
The competition has once again earned authoritative industry recognition and been included in the special fund subsidy program for Xinjiang’s wine industry development, placing it alongside the world’s top four international wine competitions. This underscores its vital role in promoting Chinese wine brands and market expansion. The organizer, Wynn Resorts Macao, received the “Top 10 Promotion Organizations” award co-hosted by Wine Business Review and JD Supermarket, while the competition was listed as a “Top 10 Marketing Case”.
Taking this opportunity, Lumead Winery will continue to deepen its exploration of the golden terroir of the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills, root itself in Eastern philosophy, and inject greater innovative vitality into the global journey of Chinese wines.
