Autumn is harvest season for many winegrowing areas, but in northwest China’s Ili, the harvest of mellow grapes for ice wine begins in winter. /VCG Photo

The special grapes are supposed to be picked while frozen on the vine. /VCG Photo

Ili’s temperatures way below freezing make it perfect. /VCG Photo

In recent years, the region has earned a worldwide reputation for its ice wine, including from the Decanter World Wine Awards. /VCG Photo