In Panzhou, there stands an old winery with a 53-year history—the Panzhou City No. 2 Winery. Over the past 53 years, it has witnessed the booming days of the planned economy era, endured the painful transition from reform and opening up to a market-driven economy, and even bravely persevered through the critical juncture of state-owned enterprise restructuring. Through these trials and tribulations, the No. 2 Winery has now shed its former glitz and returned to its authentic roots, radiating vibrant new energy in the spirit of the new age.

That summer of 1967, Pan'guan by the banks of the Tuojiang River was as humid and sweltering as it is today. The "Third Front Construction" was in full swing, with coal miners working tirelessly under harsh conditions—relying on human labor and animal transport—to toil like ants for the sake of China's burgeoning coal industry. Back then, the mine shafts were drenched in heavy moisture, yet the workers braved the grueling heat and exhaustion without complaint; their greatest fear was falling ill, because getting sick meant missing work—and that, in turn, would disrupt coal production at the mine.

And so, this summer, a winery was born. Good mountains produce excellent water, and fine water is the secret to crafting superb wine. Flanking both sides of the Tuojiang River are towering mountains, whose depths hold abundant mineral resources. Above these majestic peaks, streams flow freely—crystal-clear rivulets that have sustained generations of Pangguan villagers, who’ve lived peacefully along the riverbanks for centuries.

Between the Sanjiaoshu Mine and the Yueliangtian Mine lies a vibrant stream of living water, and it was here that the distillery chose to establish itself. This is Panzhou’s Second Distillery (formerly known as the "Local State-Owned Pan County Special District Second Distillery," now also referred to as the "Six-Grain Distillery"). To date, 53 years have passed, making it the third state-owned distillery in Guizhou Province—with a history exceeding 50 years—alongside Guizhou Moutai and Guizhou Xiji.

Coal workers from two major mines under the Panjiang Coal & Electricity Group finally get to enjoy a sip of "Panjiang Liquor"—a pure-grain brew—after a grueling day underground. It helps them shake off the day’s fatigue, banish the dampness they’ve endured in the mine, and even provides a comforting shield against the biting cold of winter.

This "Panjiang Liquor" is meticulously crafted using six premium grains—corn, rice, glutinous rice, sorghum, wheat, and tartary buckwheat—following the traditional methods of "small-qu flavor with a clean aroma, pure grain fermentation, and solid-state brewing." It contains no artificial flavors or fragrances, offering a delightfully fragrant profile, a long-lasting, smooth finish, and the unique qualities of leaving you feeling refreshed rather than hungover or parched. No wonder it’s affectionately dubbed the "Panjiang Little Moutai." During the "Third Front Construction" era, this exquisite liquor wasn’t just enjoyed by coal miners from Panjiang Coal & Electricity Group and local villagers—it was even exported far beyond, reaching as far as Beijing, Shanghai, and northeastern regions of China.

It is said that back then, there was a soldier who had joined the army and moved to Beijing. When he returned home for family visits and the New Year, he wanted to buy two bottles of fine wine as a thoughtful gift for his elders. Though he didn’t usually drink alcohol himself, he’d heard this particular wine was excellent, so he purchased two bottles of "Songshan Brand Panjiang Wine" and brought them home. Only upon arriving did he discover that the wine was actually produced right in his hometown!

Excellent quality, combined with the seller's market of the planned economy era, propelled "Panjiang Wine" to sudden fame and unparalleled popularity.

As the saying goes, "No flower stays in full bloom forever," and indeed, the Second Winery has also weathered its own troughs and harsh winters. At the end of the last century, a state-owned enterprise restructuring—often dubbed China's third "Socialist Transformation" of the post-Mao era—swept across the nation. Like many others, the Second Winery was forced to step out of its protected environment and fend for itself amid the turbulent currents of the market economy. It was during this very period that Su Feng, the current factory director who is the same age as the winery itself, took on the role of leading the company. Reflecting on those challenging days, he shared with us: "Back then, I thought to myself—these workers are like my own family. If I give up now, who will step up to guide everyone? Without me, the winery and its cherished wines would simply vanish."

At the toughest time, from Su Feng down to the employees, everyone could only receive a subsidy of 250 yuan. Word got around, and people mocked, "From the factory director to the workers, they're all 'two-fifty'!" Unable to bear the cold sarcasm any longer, they finally decided to increase each person's subsidy by an additional 10 yuan.

“Our winery used to face tremendous challenges—employees were earning a meager salary of just 260 yuan per person, barely enough to get by. But no matter how tough things got, everyone at the factory kept pushing forward, focusing on building our brand and refusing to compromise by producing even a single substandard or counterfeit product. Today, the company’s growth has clearly improved, and that’s directly tied to everyone’s relentless dedication and unwavering commitment.” Employee Ao Chengyan said thoughtfully.

Despite the toughest times, many Panjiang winemakers remained deeply committed to their factory, staying by its side through thick and thin. They understood clearly that if the winery ever shut down, there would be no chance of reopening it again. Determined to keep production alive and uphold uncompromising quality, they valued the reputation of Panjiang Wine even more than their own—always adhering to the principle: "No matter how challenging the situation, we’ll never produce a single drop of substandard wine." Braving the bitter cold with unwavering resolve, they patiently waited for the snow to melt and spring to bloom. After enduring countless struggles, the winery finally ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity. At the turn of the century, thanks to their relentless perseverance and the hard-won resilience of the "second winery," which emerged only after being pushed to the brink, the facility began steadily recovering—and thriving.

The winery was brought back to life, and with it came a wave of well-deserved recognition. In 2006, the Songshan-brand Panjiang Liquor series earned prestigious titles such as "China Famous Brand," "China Consumer-Friendly Premium Brand" (a key promotional unit), and "Nationally Certified Quality Product." Meanwhile, the Second Distillery also received accolades like "National Model Unit for Quality Integrity and Trustworthiness," "Outstanding Green and Ecological Enterprise in Guizhou Province," and "Contract-Abiding and Credit-Worthy Unit" in Guizhou Province. In 2017, it became an internship and experimental base, as well as a practical training facility, for both the School of Brewing and Food Engineering and Mingde College at Guizhou University.

Today, the factory complex has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its old image for a vibrant, modern look. The total assets of the Second Winery have nearly doubled, enabling it to produce 420 tons of Baijiu annually—spanning the Panjiang and Panzhou series. After more than 50 years of steady dedication and continuous refinement, the winery’s production techniques have become increasingly sophisticated, while its products have reached new heights in quality and excellence. Both the Panjiang and Panzhou series boast a wide range of premium liquors that have won the hearts of consumers far and wide, attracting buyers from near and far eager to place orders. Thanks to this success, dozens of employees are now enjoying improved livelihoods and brighter futures.

Factory Director Su Feng said: "Over the past 53 years, we’ve weathered countless challenges and twists and turns to reach where we are today—thanks to the relentless efforts and pioneering spirit of several generations. In recent years, our output value, production volume, revenue, and tax contributions have steadily grown year after year. In 2019, we achieved an output value of 8.16 million yuan, revenue of 4.83 million yuan, and paid 1.43 million yuan in taxes. Moving forward, we’ll continue to boost production, expand sales, and maintain uncompromising quality, ensuring that consumers can enjoy safe, authentic, solid-state fermented liquor with complete peace of mind."

(Reported by All-Media Journalist Xiao Runxian, with contributions from Correspondents Peng Zhonggong and Deng Qiang)