Puli Winery is a historic distillery in Puli founded in 1917 that produces Taiwan's best-known Shaoxing rice wine, brewed with the sweet, clear groundwater of the Puli Basin. The factory grounds now feature an exhibition hall presenting the brewing process from raw ingredients to finished product, along with a tasting area and product retail section.
Puli Winery was founded in 1917 during the Japanese colonial era. It released Taiwan's first bottled Shaoxing wine in 1953, and its aged Shaoxing wine won a gold medal at an international food competition in Greece in 1988. The 1999 921 Earthquake caused severe damage to the factory (losses of roughly NT$700 million), and a fire in the storage area in March 2000 destroyed most of the 80,000 wine jars that had survived the quake, leaving only about 10,000; the winery was subsequently rebuilt with government assistance.
Highlights of Puli Winery
The Puli Winery suffered severe damage in the 921 Earthquake of 1999 and underwent a full reconstruction afterward; some of the older equipment and structures have been retained as historical records. The tourism area now open to visitors features an exhibition of the Shaoxing brewing process, including explanations of fermentation tanks and storage crocks, as well as an introduction to the water resources of the Puli area. The product retail area sells various Shaoxing wines and fermented grain food products, and a selection of local Puli specialty agricultural products is also available.
Puli Shaoxing wine uses glutinous rice as its base ingredient and employs specific mold cultures for fermentation. Aging periods range from a few months to several years, and wines of different aging grades have noticeably distinct flavor profiles. No reservation is required for the winery tour (large groups are advised to contact in advance); individual visitors can enter directly. The grounds are not large — a visit takes about 40 minutes to an hour — and is typically arranged as one stop on a Puli day trip.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time Required
- Walkable from Puli town center; after arriving at Puli via the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line or Nantou Bus, transfer by local transport — about 5 to 10 minutes.
- A general visit takes about 1 hour; combined with nearby attractions, you can plan a half-day Puli town center itinerary.
Nearby Connections
- In Puli town center, Paper Dome (Paper Dome Museum) is within walking distance of the winery, and there are many local eateries nearby. Consider having lunch first, then visiting the winery.
- Sun Moon Lake is about 30 minutes south by car; Cingjing Farm is about 40 minutes northeast — the winery can serve as an intermediate stop.
Sources: Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation Puli Winery official website. Photos pending replacement with Dio's original shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Puli Winery founded?
It was founded in 1917 during the Japanese colonial era, making it one of Taiwan's oldest wineries.
What is special about Puli Winery's Shaoxing wine?
The winery released Taiwan's first bottled Shaoxing wine in 1953, and its aged Shaoxing wine won a gold medal at an international food competition in Greece in 1988, brewed using Puli's naturally sweet groundwater.
What major disasters has Puli Winery faced?
The 1999 921 Earthquake severely damaged the factory, and a fire in the storage area in March 2000 destroyed most of the wine jars that had survived the quake, leaving only about 10,000 of the original 80,000.
Sources
- 埔里酒廠 - 維基百科 — 創立年份、紹興酒發展沿革
- 《921大震21年》埔里酒廠爆炸10萬桶白蘭地全毀 - 中時新聞網 — 921地震與後續火災損失