The picturesque Cheanyang wine chateau in Yantai, Shandong province. [Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]

Tonight's diary entry is a rather tipsy task, testament to the character and hospitality of Yantai locals.

It wound up with a meal where we were able to sample the finest Yantai wines and the tastiest seafood Shandong has to offer.

But before that we had a busy day. An early morning trip to Chenyang Chateau to witness firsthand how they produce some of the first-rate wine we have had the pleasure of sampling so far during our stay and a wonderful piece of architecture to boot. We rose early on a wonderful, clear sunny Yantai day to make our way to the chateau and were firstly overwhelmed with the beauty of the perfectly kempt gardens and the rows of grape corridors. Secondly was the tasting of the fine grapes, before a trip around the chateau itself. Down into the eerie but intoxicating cellar, before a mosey around the in-house bar and the pristine souvenir section where we could purchase anything from a wine goblet to a bottle of 100-year-old brandy. The tour was topped off with a buggy-cruise around the vineyards themselves. A wonderful start to the day.