Ever dream of owning a vineyard? Yorkshireman Chris Ruffle did, and to make things even more interesting he decided to do it from scratch in the countryside of Shandong Province. And don’t forget the castle, a Scottish castle, which he built at the site.

Chris’ adventure was often more nightmare than rural idyll, but it certainly gave him lots of stories and great insights into the country and people. It’s one thing to live and work in a country, but investing all your savings in a business gives a unique experience and perspective.

“A Decent Bottle of Wine in China” is a unique book which joins the ranks of foreigner accounts such as Tim Clissold’s “Mr. China” and Mark Kitto’s “China Cuckoo.” Thankfully, this tale has a happy ending, and his Treaty Port Vineyards is flourishing. More books at Plum Rain Press

Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files