.jpg)
Copious water supply of Houli Waterway, great earthy and climatic advantages that breed abundant produce; visit Shuiliudong to search for the enticing tastes: the sweetness of fruits, the freshness of grapes and the mellowness of good wine.
The rivers in western Taiwan all flow from the east to the west except for Houli Waterway that situates in Shuiliudong (water flows eastward) Agri-tourism Area in central Waipu. This river streams eastward from the west, which not only makes an impressive sight but also breeds valuable fertile soil, rich fields and crops that nourish both young and old from each and every family on this land.
As Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east) is blown by the northeast monsoon winds, the temperature here varies greatly between day and night. With its loose soil, rich water resources, excellent drainage, good ventilation environment and less plant diseases and insect pests, the area is particularly suitable for planting grapes. Thanks to the diligent efforts made by grape farmers, the locally grown fresh produce and common grape vine both show exceptional quality and flavor.
Copious water supply of Houli Waterway, great earthy and climatic advantages that breed abundant produce; visit Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east) Agricultural Tourism Area to search for the enticing tastes: the sweetness of fruits, the freshness of grapes and the mellowness of good wine
Hung, Chun-Yi cultivates edible grapes by means of natural farming.
The development of small-scale peasant winery for winemaking enables Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east) to become the wine valley of Taiwan.
Time-limited fine taste of ripe grapes
Bunches of bright and gorgeous grapes hanging on the grape trellis in the vineyard are the time-limited fine taste that the gourmands will definitely go for panic buying during the vintage every year. In order that the foodies can enjoy the most natural and sweetest grapes, Hung, Chun-Yi, the owner of “Yan Jing Orchard” cultivates a great variety of edible grapes including Kyoho grapes, Honey red and sakurai grapes based on natural farming with the incorporation of timely nutrient supplement to the crops and soil so that the grapes are able to grow healthier and stronger. What is more, wine parties where customers are invited to sit down and sample special meals made with native ingredients and grape wine under the vines are thrown by Yan Jing on irregular basis. Accompanied by gentle breeze and music performance, the participants can experience the total relaxing and agreeable atmosphere as if they had come to a foreign countryside.
Knowledge of wine imparted directly by the artisan
The vineyard of Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east) was once the winemaking and grape area of Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corporation in the past. The contractual farming system of grapes was cancelled after Taiwan’s joining WTO, resulting in the initiation of western liquor import. The cultivation of winemaking grapery of Hung, Chi-Pei’s family is passed down by his grandfather. He later on transformed the vinery into “Shu Sheug Leisure Winery”, which becomes Taiwan’s first grape winery that performs French brewing techniques. Under guidance from agricultural department and industry-academia cooperation, Hung, Chi-Pei introduces peculiar wine products such as “Golden Muscat wine” and “Black Queen wine” by making use of the raw materials of labrusca and brewing technology. These domestic wines have won several awards in international wine and spirits competitions, showing the world that the winery from Taiwan is as well capable of producing world-class wines. Visitors are welcome to come here for enjoying a sightseeing tour along ecological trail, rambling around the vineyard and learn about the process of winemaking and the growth and cultivation of grapes at the brewery. Knowledge and expertise of wine is imparted by professionals on the spot to enrich your farm tour.
Visit winery for experiencing rural life
Established after the termination of contractual farming for grapes, “Donna Carat Winery” also uses its homegrown fresh grapes as raw materials through which the delectable taste of the grapes are transformed into a unique bouquet for developing all kinds of wine products that satisfy the taste buds of the customers based on traditional brewing technology. According to the owner of Donna Carat Winery Peng, Li-Chin, the Donna Carat Red Wine, brewed from black queen grapes, is stored inside the barrel for one year after vinification to allow the sweet taste to become mellow. Carrying additionally the flavor of cherry and oak, this type of red wine is very popular among drinkers. As for the red wine brewed from golden muscat grapes, the fragrance of the grapes are cleverly blocked in by freezing the grapes at a low temperature of subzero 6 degrees Celsius for producing sweet flavor and everlasting aftertaste. Moreover, the new variety of Taichung No. 5 grape is also applied to winemaking. Carrying the aroma of lychee, the liquor is provided with a very distinctive savor. Apart from conducting wine brewing, wine tasting and wine selling, Donna Carat Winery also designs and launches diverse experience programs for both adults and children to enjoy the fun of picking fruits, making wine-flavored panna cotta and experience the life in the countryside.
Approach the sweet relish of pink lady
Grape is not the only celebrated crop in Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east). Aside from the well-liked rice and fruits and vegetables, dragon fruit enjoys great popularity in virtue of its top-notch quality as well. Fan, Chen-Ching, the expert in dragon fruit at “Fojiazhuang Fruit Farm” has brought in the new variety of “pink lady” during the past years. Not only does the rarely-seen pink pulp possess multiple nutrients, the high sweetness and crunchiness of the fruit has made pink lady become the new favorite of consumer market. The family-owned business of dragon fruit orchard is taken over by Fan, Chen-Ching’s son Fan, Chun-Hsien and his brother today. From being an outsider of agriculture to the expert who knows how to plant and take care of all varieties of dragon fruits, Fan, Chun-Hsien has made some remarkable achievements in the field of agriculture. The chemical-free sod culture adopted by Fan, Chun-Hsien allows the dragon fruits to grow big and sweet. He expects himself to be as innovative as his father and be able to develop a wide variety of merchandising so that more people can recognize the advantages of dragon fruits.
Palatable taste of handmade rice food
Led by Liu, Huang-Pi-Hsia, the former leader of home economics class of Farmers' Association, “Ma Ma Tien and Landlord Liu’s Traditional Rice Meal” assembles local women of Shuiliudong to develop traditional rice dishes including Caozaiguo, Hakka mochi (sticky rice cake) and red tortoise cake. The dishes are purely handmade with authentic ingredients without adding artificial pigments, antiseptics or any other chemicals. From preparation of raw ingredients such as rice, wormwood, shallots, mushrooms and pork to cooking, both the daintiness of food and the health of consumers are taken into consideration. In order that the foods can be more convenient for eating to more people, Ma Ma Tien and Landlord Liu also provides low-temperature delivery service in addition to pre-order upon reservation. In the future, DIY experience program of making Caozaiguo and other traditional rice dishes will be launched at agriculture workshop inside Shui-liu-dong (water flows to the east) Agricultural Tourism Area so that visitors can have the chance of savoring the traditional taste of happiness.
