Yilan Winery is a Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation distillery on Jiucheng South Road in Yilan City, tracing its roots to the Yilan Liquor Company founded in 1909 by local gentry led by Lin Ching-yun. Best known for producing Hong-Lu wine, Yilan County's designated liquor, it was registered as a historic building complex in 2014 and is Taiwan's oldest surviving liquor distillery. The site houses the Jiazilan Liquor Museum, and some old factory buildings have been converted into creative-industry spaces.
The winery's predecessor, Yilan Liquor Company, was founded in 1909 by Lin Ching-yun and other local gentry; it was brought under government monopoly control in 1922, reorganized as the Yilan branch liquor plant of the Taiwan Provincial Monopoly Bureau in 1946, and renamed Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation Yilan Winery in 2002. In 2014 it was registered as the 'Yilan Winery Historic Building Complex' under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, making it Taiwan's oldest surviving liquor distillery; its flagship product, Hong-Lu wine, is designated Yilan County's official liquor.
Highlights of Yilan Winery
The Yilan Winery traces its origins to a brewery established during the Japanese colonial era, taken over by the Taiwan Provincial Tobacco and Wine Monopoly Bureau after the war and developed into the present-day Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation's Yilan plant. The factory grounds are sizeable, retaining part of the Japanese colonial-era building structure; the brick architecture has a distinctive industrial-age character. The on-site exhibition area explains the brewing process and the winery's history — a concrete illustration of Taiwan's monopoly system and the development of the liquor industry.
The plant's retail shop sells various Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor products, including Yilan plant exclusives and specialty items that hold appeal for certain shoppers. Some factory space is opened for creative events or markets, though these are not regular exhibitions — check event announcements before visiting. The overall site is not large; a general visit covers the main areas in about 30–60 minutes.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There
- Located on Jiucheng South Road in Yilan City, next to Yilan County History Museum; about a 15–20-minute walk from Yilan Train Station.
- On-site parking is limited; arriving by public transit or on foot is recommended. Street parking can be found in the surrounding area.
- Opening hours and visiting rules are subject to Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation's official announcements — confirm before you go.
Nearby Connections
- Yilan County History Museum and Yilan Governance Memorial Hall are both within walking distance — combining them creates a half-day cultural route along Jiucheng South Road.
- Zhaoying Temple is about a 10-minute walk away; the temple and winery offer an interesting cultural contrast to explore in one visit.
Source: Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation Yilan plant public information and on-site materials. Photos pending Dio's on-location shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yilan Winery best known for producing?
Yilan Winery is best known for Hong-Lu wine, which is designated Yilan County's official liquor and has been its flagship product since the factory's founding.
When was Yilan Winery founded?
Its predecessor, Yilan Liquor Company, was founded in 1909 by Lin Ching-yun and other local gentry.
What can visitors see at the site?
The site houses the Jiazilan Liquor Museum, which explains the brewing history and process, and some old factory buildings have been converted into creative-retail spaces.
Sources
- 宜蘭酒廠 - 臺灣菸酒股份有限公司 — 官方沿革，紅露酒為主力產品
- 臺灣菸酒公司沿革 - 財政部財政史料陳列室 — 創立年代與歷史沿革