Xinyi Highland Grapes

Xinyi highland grapes are a signature Kyoho table grape grown on the hillsides of Xinyi Township, Nantou, at elevations of 400–1,800 meters across roughly 200 hectares, with three harvests a year — mid-July, mid-September, and early December through late January. The wide day-night temperature swing forces the grapes to accumulate sugar during the day and slowly convert acidity at night, producing a well-balanced highland grape style that makes for one of Nantou's essential autumn-to-winter agri-tourism routes.

According to the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, Xinyi Township has about 200 hectares under Kyoho table grape cultivation at elevations of 400–1,800 meters, yielding roughly 3,600 metric tons a year through 11 production and marketing groups with 200 members. The township harvests three times annually — mid-July, mid-September, and early December through late January — and the Fengqiu Grape Tourist Orchard, at 500 meters elevation, has offered pick-your-own visits since 1983.

What Are Xinyi Highland Grapes

Xinyi Township grapes are mainly Kyoho (a large-berry variety introduced from Japan) and Jinsiang (a white grape variety developed in Taiwan). Kyoho has large, thick-skinned berries with abundant juice and can reach 18–22 Brix sugar content; Jinsiang has thin skin and clear juice with a citrus fragrance, slightly lower sugar but refreshingly acidic. Highland cultivation uses a trellis system, and growers bag individual clusters to prevent pest damage, resulting in far lower pesticide use than lowland farms. Xinyi Township Farmers' Association also processes some grapes into grape juice and wine, extending the local industry chain.

Xinyi Township is the traditional territory of the Bunun people; the modern grape industry has developed since roughly the 1970s, with most farms operated by tribal members. The Xinyi Township Farmers' Association holds an annual Grape Festival from August to October, connecting farm pick-your-own visits, association sales events, and tribal cultural experiences — it is listed as the township's representative agricultural festival on the Nantou County Government tourism website. Farm pick-your-own visits require confirming harvest status in advance, and some farms require reservations.

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Sources: Xinyi Township Farmers' Association Grape Production and Marketing Division, Nantou County Government Tourism Website. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.