Introduction

Daejeon International Wine EXPO 2024
Oct. 27th(Sun)- Nov. 3rd(Sun)
Daejeon Convention Center Ⅰ-Ⅱ
Outdoor Wine Culture Festival
Nov. 1st(Fri)- Nov. 3rd(Sun)
Wine Trade Show
Nov. 1(Fri)- Nov. 3rd(Sun)

The origin of authentically Korean wine lies inDaejeon.

In 1969, a period when the term "wine" was still largely unknown, the process of winemaking was pioneered in Daejeon. When was it that wine first made its mark in our country's history?

Traditions of grape fermentation have been passed down since mid-Joseon Dynasty, with documented evidence of China's Yuan Dynasty's Emperor Sejo gifting grape wine to his son-in-law, Goryeo King Chungnyeol. Towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty, it's acknowledged that Christian missionaries started grapevine cultivation and brought grape wine into the region, initiating wine fermentation via Catholic influence. However, this history primarily revolves around wines produced by foreigners and imported from overseas.

Fast forward to 1969. The first-ever 'authentically Korean wine,'
created from domestically grown grapes, made its debut.
This was none other than Korea Suntory's 'Sunry Port Wine'.

 
1968
  • nd Fishery Marketing Corporation, the predecessor to the current Agricultural and Rural Development Corporation, collaborated with Japan's Suntory to establish Korea Suntory Co., Ltd., a dedicated wine production entity.
  • As part of this strategy, the Korea Suntory Daejeon Factory was set up in Wolpyeong-dong, Daejeon
  • alongside the development plan for the Daedeok district grape plantation.
1969
  • 'Sunry Port Wine', the first authentically Korean wine manufactured from Daejeon-grown grapes, hit the market.
  • Apple Wine Company commenced the production of Paradise Wine (an apple wine).
1974
  • Korea Suntory was sold to Haitai Brewery.
  • Thereafter, Haitai began the production of Noble Wine.
1977
  • With Oriental Brewery's 'Majuang' starting to leverage purely domestic technology, a new era for Korean wine was heralded.
  • Large-scale vineyards started cropping up in Cheongha, Gyeongbuk, and Miryang, Gyeongnam.
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1980
  • Daesun Brewery launched 'GRAND DJOIE Sparkling Wine'.
1987
  • Korea liberalized wine imports.
  • 'Ah Young FBC', the country's inaugural wine import company, was established.
1988
  • The hosting of the Seoul Olympics, combined with the newfound liberalization of wine imports, led to a surge in imported wine consumption.
2009
  • The democratization of wine started taking shape.
  • As the market for mid-range and inexpensive wines expanded, 'Daily Wine' was introduced, promoting casual and everyday enjoyment of wine.
Now
  • At present, approximately 150 South Korean wineries are crafting over 600 distinct types of wine.
  • These wines not only incorporate locally cultivated grape varietals, such as Meoru, Campbell Early, Geobong, and Cheongsu, but also various fruits like persimmons, Omija, kiwi, blackberries, plums, and apples. These uniquely Korean fruit wines have garnered international recognition.

Leveraging this historic backdrop, the Daejeon International Wine Expo has solidified its position as an influential event of global interest. The Expo partners with the Asia Wine Trophy, Asia's premier wine competition, and the Asia Wine Conference, South Korea's sole professional wine symposium. This conference welcomes distinguished wine experts from around the globe for enlightening seminars and discussions devoted to the evolution of the wine industry.