Fongyee Walker #183
An expert wine guide, educator, and consultant
Fongyee Walker MW – an expert wine guide, educator, and consultant – has been an influential figure in wine education for over 30 years. Fongyee Walker – a pioneer in China’s wine education, founded Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting (Beijing) in 2007, bringing high-level wine expertise to the country. Her journey into the world of wine is deeply rooted in her passion for pairing Chinese food with wines, a fascination that stemmed from her international upbringing, where she was exposed to both Chinese and Western cuisines. As the first Master of Wine (MW) in mainland China, achieved in 2016, Fongyee made a significant impact on the wine community. She founded Dragon Phoenix to focus on wine education and consulting, influencing both industry professionals and amateur wine lovers in China. With her expert guidance, she continues to bridge the gap between traditional Chinese culinary practices and the emerging wine culture in China.
Fongyee Walker`s competitive advantages
- First Master of Wine (MW) resident in mainland China (2016)
- Winner of the Riedel Trophy for WSET Educator of the Year (2016)
- WSET Certified Wine Educator in both English and Mandarin
- Recognized for outstanding contributions to wine education and culture in China
- Extensive experience in Chinese wine education, consulting, and media
Wine tours
Fongyee’s influence extends to her wine tours, where she has led both domestic and international trips to some of the world’s top wine regions. Fongyee had led various wine tours both in China and abroad for the past fifteen years for her students, VIP clients, and wine club members, etc. The wine tours covered the following wine regions: Burgundy and Beaujolais in France, Chile, Argentina, Australia (South Australia and Victoria), New Zealand, Georgia, California, and regions in China.
In addition to her extensive international tours, she has also been instrumental in educating people about the wines of China, including the regions of Ningxia, Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shangri-La. Her work has been pivotal in introducing global wine enthusiasts to the nuances of Chinese wine regions, combining cultural exploration with fine wine education.
Looking ahead, Fongyee is collaborating with WildChina on an expert-led journey designed to provide travelers with an immersive experience that combines wine education with China’s rich cultural heritage. This new program will offer exclusive tours covering three wine regions in China: Beijing, Shandong, and Ningxia. It will include private wine tastings, vineyard visits, fine dining experiences while exploring the most iconic sites in each destination. Fongyee’s deep expertise and passion for connecting wine with Chinese culture will be at the heart of this program, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore China’s terroir while learning from one of the leading figures in the wine education. Experience China from a new point-of-view by discovering local wine history and savouring wine pairings with Chinese cuisine.
Cultural Mission
With an impressive track record of teaching over 100,000 students, Fongyee continues to elevate the quality of wine education in China, helping new generations of wine drinkers appreciate wine not just for its prestige, but for its true complexity and flavor. Through her work, she has transformed China’s wine culture, steering it toward a more taste-driven approach rather than a status-based one, and continues to play a leading role in shaping the future of the industry.
Beyond her educational efforts, Fongyee has contributed significantly to the media landscape in China. She has starred in several wine-related TV shows, including Wok ’n Wine and Carpe Vinum, which have educated and entertained audiences about wine and its place in Chinese culture. Additionally, Fongyee was a key figure in the production of Red Obsession, a documentary about the growing influence of Chinese wine consumers.
- Fongyee served as the executive producer for the documentary Waking the Sleeping Dragon, which was shown to great acclaim at the Venice Film Festival.
- She has written for prestigious magazines like The World of Fine Wine, Decanter China, and Wine in China, receiving multiple accolades for her contributions to the development of wine culture in China.
- Fongyee has also taught at Wynn Macau, Mariott Hotels, Tsinghua Univeristy, Cambridge University and many other client events.
A selected list of awards
- 2020, Wine & Spirits Education Section EDUCATION OF THE YEAR
- 2018, “Riesling Fellow” from The German Wine Institute
- 2018, VDP.AMBASSADORS ASIA By VDP: DIE PRÄDIKATSWEINGÜTER
- 2016, Master of Wine
- 2016, THE ERRAZURIZ AWARD for the Outstanding Paper on THE BUSINESS OF WINE in the Master of Wine Examination
- 2014, International Judge Limestone Coast Wine Show Australia
- 2013, “Wine Culture Promotion Ambassador Award” from Wine in China Top 100 Wines
- Fongyee Walker is a Master of Wine (MW), a prestigious qualification from the Institute of Masters of Wine.
- She is a WSET Certified Wine Educator.
Reviews
WildChina is pleased to announce an expert-led journey with Fongyee Walker, a pioneer in China’s wine education, designed to provide travelers with an immersive experience that combines wine education with China’s rich cultural heritage. This new program will offer exclusive tours covering three wine regions in China: Beijing, Shandong, and Ningxia. It will include private wine tastings, vineyard visits, fine dining experiences while exploring the most iconic sites in each destination. Fongyee’s deep expertise and passion for connecting wine with Chinese culture will be at the heart of this program, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore China’s terroir while learning from one of the leading figures in the wine education. Experience China from a new point-of-view by discovering local wine history and savouring wine pairings with Chinese cuisine.
As a Chinese winemaker, I am thrilled to have passed the WSET Diploma exam through Ms. Fongyee’s course. Her lectures were incredibly engaging, making it easy to immerse myself and stay focused. The course not only deepened my understanding of the world’s wine regions and styles in a logical, comprehensive, and nuanced way, but it also sparked a wealth of inspiration for both winemaking and brand building. Through this program, I gained the ability to design products from a broader perspective, taking into account global wine trends. More importantly, I learned that there is no one perfect wine region in the world—winemakers must find the right style for their unique circumstances. Before taking Fongyee’s classes, I focused primarily on well-known wine regions. However, this diploma course has broadened my focus to include all facets of the wine world and its broader industry structure, allowing me to approach my brand planning from a more multi-dimensional perspective.