Pingtung Distillery Introduction
The Pingtung Distillery, originally established in Pingtung City, relocated to its current site in the Neipu Industrial Zone in 1988. The history of the distillery can be traced back to 1898 during the Japanese colonial period when it was part of the Taiwan Governor-General's Monopoly Bureau, marking the formal establishment of the tobacco and liquor monopoly system in Taiwan. After various mergers and changes over different periods, it became officially independent as the Pingtung Distillery in 1946. The Pingtung Distillery specializes in the production of rice wine and is the highest producer of rice wine among all units of the Monopoly Bureau. Notably, the distillery has developed the Da Wu Chun, which uses carefully selected raw materials and water quality, brewed through a liquid fermentation method. It won the Gold Medal at the World Wine and Spirits Competition for three consecutive years from 1998 to 2000. A distillery dedicated to wine production and consistently recognized for its quality, the Pingtung Distillery has gradually transformed into a tourist-oriented distillery under the government's promotion of industrial tourism, with a completely refreshed environment. Starting from the Ahou Plaza, the square features lush greenery and fragrant flowers, resembling a small park, with landscape designs cleverly using wine jars as the focal point. Upon arriving at the exhibition and sales building, visitors will find a unique welcoming wall made entirely of stacked wine jars, with a few painted wine jars hidden within it, providing a delightful surprise. Inside the exhibition and sales center, there are several designated areas, including a display zone for award-winning products from the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, a product sales area, and more, primarily selling the alcoholic products and related processed items produced by the company. Additionally, an arts exhibition area frequently showcases various ceramic artworks and photography. Furthermore, there is a rice wine museum that allows visiting tourists to understand the production process of rice wine and learn various rice wine culinary methods and practical information.
