Pingtung Distillery Introduction
Originally established in the city of Pingtung, the Pingtung Distillery moved to its current location in the Neipu Industrial Zone in 1988. The distillery's history 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 beginning of the tobacco and alcohol monopoly system in Taiwan. After undergoing various mergers and changes over the years, it officially became independent as the Pingtung Distillery in 1946. The Pingtung Distillery specializes in the production of rice wine and is the largest rice wine producer among the various units under the Monopoly Bureau. Notably, the Da Wu Chun rice wine developed and produced by this distillery has won the Gold Quality Award at the World Wine and Spirits Evaluation for three consecutive years from 1998 to 2000, thanks to its selection of premium ingredients and water, as well as its liquid fermentation process. As a distillery recognized for its quality, Pingtung Distillery is gradually transforming into a tourist distillery under government initiatives promoting industrial tourism, showcasing a brand new appearance both inside and out. Starting from the Ah Hou Square, the area is filled with greenery and fragrant flowers, resembling a small park, with landscape design cleverly using wine jars as a focal point. In the exhibition and sales building, there is a unique welcome wall made entirely of stacked wine jars, with a few beautifully painted jars hidden within, adding an element of surprise to the design. The exhibition and sales center includes several visiting areas such as the award-winning product display area of the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, product sales area, and more, primarily selling the alcohol products and related processed items produced by the company. Additionally, there is an arts exhibition area that frequently showcases various ceramic works and photography. Furthermore, the Rice Wine Museum educates visitors about the manufacturing process of rice wine and provides practical information on various rice wine recipes.
