ABOUT US
The Dragon Phoenix Story
Introducing Dragon Phoenix
“At the cutting-edge of Chinese wine education”
Decanter Magazine
Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting was co-founded by Fongyee Walker MW and Edward Ragg MW in Beijing in 2007.
Specialists in wine education and professional tasting since 1999, Fongyee and Edward share over thirty years of experience
in higher education having taught at Cambridge and Tsinghua Universities. Edward and Fongyee are joined by a team of passionate educators, all former DP students, teaching in our classrooms across China.
Dragon Phoenix also provides fully independent wine consultancy services for the China market(s) working with the China
trade as well as private consumers, corporate groups, international wine companies, individual wineries, wine trade bodies and
clients requiring detailed market research.
How Can Dp Help You?
Dragon Phoenix offers a range of professional services to match your needs.
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Dragon Phoenix
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Private and Corporate
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Wine Tastings and Event Planning
DP Founders
DP History
DP Team
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Gus Zhu MW
Senior Wine Educator
Gus Zhu is one of Dragon Phoenix’s very first educators. He holds a Master’s in Oenology from UC Davis and has also achieved the rare and humbling distinction of being the first ever Chinese National to achieve the Master of Wine (MW) title. He has previously also gained experience as a cellar hand at Napa’s Cakebread Cellars. A Certified WSET Educator for WSET Levels 1-3, Gus is a WSET Level 3 Assessor, WSET Level 4 Diploma holder and has also taught Diploma. Gus’s teaching is an Ambassador of Napa Valley wine education (authorized by the Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy). Gus previously provided staff training (e.g. for the Park Hyatt, Beijing) and seminars (for the Tsinghua University Wine Association) as well as oral translation (English-Chinese) at wine seminars organized by Dragon Phoenix. Gus also has judging experience as an Associate Judge at Wine In China Magazine’s Top 100 Wines Competition and, more recently, as Judge at the International Wine Challenge China. Currently dividing his time between the US and China, Gus continues to support Dragon Phoenix with teaching, consulting and translation projects.
Contact: gus@dpwc.co
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David Xing
Wine Educator
David completed his Bachelor of Philosophy at Renmin University of China and his M.Sc. in ‘Management Financier et Organisation’ at the KEDGE Business School in France. His graduation thesis was entitled ‘Valeur d’investissement du vin et des portefeuilles avec le vin comme un atout’. A WSET Certified Educator and Assessor (Levels 1-3), David has first-hand experience of the most famous wine regions of Europe and is familiar with both European wine markets and the mainland Chinese imported wine market. He passed his WSET Level 4 Diploma in 2016 and has since completed Stage 1 of the Master of Wine.
With great enthusiasm for teaching, David possesses excellent verbal skills and a friendly command of the classroom. His study of philosophy and wine has assisted him in honing his written and interpretative skills, both of which contribute significantly to his teaching.Contact: david@dpwc.co
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Xiao Lei Duan
Wine Educator
Lei completed his Bachelor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick and studied in the United Kingdom for some ten years. In 2009 he returned to China and set up a wine specialist store which helped him build up an extensive network of clients and overseas winery contacts. Lei passed his WSET Diploma in Wines & Spirits in 2018 and was awarded with a Wine Australia Scholarship that year. Lei has since turned his focus to wine education and has become an accredited educator for many authoritative bodies such as Wine Australia and VIA Italy.
Lei joined Dragon Phoenix in 2019. As well as teaching WSET courses he delivers “the story of wine” series to wine lovers from all walks of life. Lei also has wine judging experience having judged at wine competitions such as Wine100 and the International Wine Challenge (London).
Contact: 32736994@qq.com
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Sang Liao
Wine Educator, Beijing
Sang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, and a Master’s degree in Earth & Environmental Engineering from Columbia University. Upon living and conducting consulting work for eight years overseas, Sang has become a keen learner with an open mind. After receiving her WSET Level 3 certificate, Sang determined to devote her career to wine education. Combining both professional scientific research capabilities and excellent communication skills, Sang’s classes are lively and vivid, but never lacking insight and comprehension. Besides teaching, Sang is currently studying for her WSET Level 4 at Dragon Phoenix.
Contact: liaosang@dpwc.co
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Linda ZHANG
Wine Educator
Linda has a double Bachelor’s of Arts in Business Administration and Law from Jilin University. She has over five years experience of international trade, management and global purchasing in the wine industry. Linda completed her WSET Level 3 with Dragon Phoenix and is currently studying for her WSET Level 4 Diploma, also with Dragon Phoenix. Linda is also currently responsible for education, education marketing and promotion for Dragon Phoenix in Shenyang as she works as DP’s educator there.
Contact: lindazhang@dpwc.co
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Chang Liu
Senior WSET Educator, Beijing
Chang holds a Double Master’s Degree in Oenology and Wine Business from the University of Adelaide, Australia. He is also a WSET Certified Educator (Levels 1-3) and a WSET Diploma Certificate holder. Chang has valuable prior experience working in Australian wineries as well as wine exports, which has given him a thorough understanding of winemaking techniques and also the dynamics of Australia’s wine market. On returning to China, Chang has embraced global wine education and aims to assist Dragon Phoenix in providing top quality classes to Chinese wine lovers and the wine trade. He has played a vital role in developing Dragon Phoenix’s Madeira, Port and other specific courses.
Contact: chang.liu@dpwc.co
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Sun Ying
Wine Educator, Chongqing
Sun Ying is a Certified WSET Educator for WSET Levels 1-3. She obtained her WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and Spirits from the Ecole du Vin à Paris and completed her WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits in China with Dragon Phoenix. She is also a WSET Level 4 Diploma holder. Sun Ying has been teaching English, French Language and Culture, and Cross-Cultural Communication at Chongqing University since 1998. She was appointed as a Lecturer in Chinese for the INALCO (Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales, est. 1669) in Paris from 2009 to 2011. She now draws on her tertiary education experience to bring to Dragon Phoenix a new teaching voice in Chongqing as she furthers her own studies in wine.
Contact: sunying@dpwc.co
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Tang Zhu
Wine Educator, Chengdu
Tang Zhu obtained her WSET Level 4 Diploma and previously her WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits both from Dragon Phoenix. She is a WSET Certified Educator and Assessor (Levels 1-3). Tang Zhu has over 16 years of education and management experience, formerly in nationalized enterprises in China, during which time she gained strong event-organizing capabilities. Now Tang Zhu is delighted to be working as a wine educator for Dragon Phoenix. She is in charge of promotion, wine education and student recruitment in Chengdu where she runs the DP classroom.
Contact: tangzhu@dpwc.co
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Lin Wang
Wine Educator, Dalian
Lin Wang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics and also a Master’s degree in Wine & Spirits Marketing and Management from Bordeaux INSEEC Business School. In 2008 Lin Wang went to France specifically to study wine, French language and culture and obtained her WSET Level 3 Award at the WSET Education Center in Macon in 2012. During her time in Burgundy, she was an intern at Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet, working in the vineyards and cellar. She also worked in Burgundian wine tourism and exports, as a French language translator and as an assistant to customers at the annual Hospices de Beaune auction. In 2013 Lin Wang returned to China and continues to work in wine, wine education and cultural promotion. She is a WSET Diploma holder, Certified WSET Educator and Assessor (Levels 1-3) and works as DP’s wine educator in Dalian.
Contact: 874657460@qq.com
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Wilson Zhao
Wine Educator, Qingdao
Wilson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baylor University, Texas. He has over 5 years experience in trading, marketing and the sale of wine in mainland China. Wilson completed both his WSET Level 4 Diploma and WSET Level 3 certificate with Dragon Phoenix. A New Zealand Wine Level 2 certificate holder (from NZTE), Wilson also had critical winemaking experience at Ngatarawa Winery, Hawke’s Bay, during the 2014 vintage. He has worked as a wine educator for Dragon Phoenix in Qingdao and is responsible for promotion, recruitment and delivery of courses there.
Contact: 23375847@qq.com
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Tiffany Hu
Education Coordinator
Tiffany completed her Master’s degree in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Xi’an International Studies University and subsequently joined the DP team due to her keen interest in wine knowledge, education and the wine industry. Tiffany handles class inquiries, registration and administration for Dragon Phoenix’s Advanced courses (across seven cities in China). She is also a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines & Spirits holder and is currently studying for her WSET Diploma.
Contact: dpclass2@dpwc.co
Mobile Phone: +86 15901597190 or Tel: +86 (0)10 59604263
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Ding Li
WSET Level 4 Coordinator
Ding Li has over fifteen years of experience previously working as a Chinese teacher and advisor to foreign nationals working and studying in China. She brings strong communication and organizational skills to Dragon Phoenix having worked with a wide range of people from different cultural backgrounds. As DP’s Level 4 Course Coordinator, Ding Li provides crucial support for Dragon Phoenix’s WSET Level 4 Diploma programmes, both the Taught and Online courses. She has completed her WSET Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits and also brings valuable translation and text-editing skills to Dragon Phoenix.
Contact: dingli@dpwc.co or +86 10 59604238
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Joanna Qiao
Wine Education Manager
Joanna majored in vinification and is fascinated by all aspects of the wine industry. She is a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines & Spirits holder, New Zealand Wine Level 2 certificate holder and is studying for her WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits.
Joanna is Dragon Phoenix’s Wine Education Manager overseeing the timetable and course programming for all our wine class programmes: from WSET to DP’s own wine classes. She works alongside Ding Li, DP’s WSET Level 4 Co-ordinator.
Joanna was formerly responsible for the organization of Dragon Phoenix’s wine events as well as those organized by Dragon Phoenix on behalf of wine trade bodies such as the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Association.
Contact: joanna@dpwc.co
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Yonan XU
Wine Educator, Shanghai
Yonan completed her WSET Level 4 Diploma with Dragon Phoenix . She teaches multi-lingually in Mandarin, English and Cantonese due to her overseas study experience, including significant time spent in the UK. She has an interest in charity work and is active in the Wine /Art & Design fields. As a WSET Certified Educator (Levels 1-3), a New Zealand Wine Professional Level 2 holder and Certified Ambassador for the Academy of Wines of Portugal, Yonan is Dragon Phoenix’s Shanghai-based wine educator where she runs a range of courses and helps promote wine culture and education in that city. She uses her language skills as a simultaneous and live translator at wine events, for Masters of Wine and on behalf of professional wine trade associations.
Contact: yonan@dpwc.co
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Yaqi Wong
Office assistant
A graduate in winemaking from Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology, Yaqi joined the DP team in April 2018. Yaqi is personal assistant to Fongyee Walker MW and also helps to manage the Dragon Phoenix office. Yaqi handles the Beijing office front-desk and numerous inquiries and tasks for team DP. She has also passed her WSET Level 2 in Wines & Spirits.
Contact: info@dpwc.co
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Yingying Zhang
Office & Accounts Manager
Yingying has over ten years of MNC experience in office management and administration. She is an experienced accounting professional with a solid financial background and proven analytical skills; and is now cultivating an interest in wine. She has excellent organizational capabilities and oversees the day-to-day running of the Dragon Phoenix office.
Contact: yingying@dpwc.co
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Kwan Tsui
Social Media and IT Designer
Kwan holds the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines & Spirits and the WSET Level 3 Award in Sake. Prior to his return to China, Kwan worked in the UK wine trade for more than 10 years with experience at Vinopolis, Selfridges and Hakkasan.
In 2017, he moved to Shanghai and was in charge of wine training and event management for wine importer Summergate. Now he is responsible for building up and editing contents for online platforms as well as visual design of digital content for Dragon Phoenix.
Contact: kwan@dpwc.co
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Hao Li
Wine Educator, Beijing
Hao holds a Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Enology Engineering from China Agricultural University and a Master’s degree in Oenology and Viticulture from the University of Adelaide. She has passed the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine and she has 3 years of work experience at a wine bottling company and winery in Australia.
As a class consultant and Wine Educator at Dragon Phoenix, Hao handles class inquiries, registration and administration for DP Certified Courses in Beijing.
Contact: lihao@dpwc.co
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Tong Tong
Class Consultant
Tongtong holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and developed a strong interest in wine and wine culture during her studies which subsequently led her to join Dragon Phoenix.
She now handles class inquiries, registration and administration for Dragon Phoenix’s Intermediate and Advanced courses (across seven cities in China). She is also studying hard for her WSET Level 3 Award in Wine.
Contact: dpclass@126.com
VISIT US AT YOUR NEAREST LOCATION
Beijing Classroom - Headquarters
Beijing Second Classroom
Chengdu Classroom
Dalian Classroom
Shanghai Classroom
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
I started the two-year WSET Level 4 Diploma course in September 2015. I am very fortunate to have learnt about wine from Fongyee and Edward – especially in regards to blind-tasting and wine business knowledge – because if you only count on yourself it will be a long process of accumulation. Also, in the selection of wine, Dragon Phoenix is very conscientious. They always try to use some typical but sometimes hard-to-find wines and many wines have been brought by educators when they travelled abroad. Dragon Phoenix’s logistics are, frankly, perfect. Ding Li (we call her “Boss Ding”), who is Dragon Phoenix’s WSET Level 4 Course Co-ordinator, works really hard to help everyone customize their study plans so that we have no worries and can concentrate on the exam. Every time exam results come out, she will inform us straight away. I must say, in the two years of studying, Boss Ding's emails and WeChat messages are my most anticipated things! Finally, I feel that my biggest motivation in learning WSET Level 4 is the inspiration from Fongyee and Edward and their attitude towards wine. After I passed the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, my curiosity about wine became even stronger and I am now eager to continue learning even more.
Dragon Phoenix’s ‘Wine Wednesday’ series has been running for more than 100 classes and almost no duplicate topics can be found! For wine lovers, the small class does not have the pressure of exams but instead enables the opportunity to learn about and taste wines from all over the world at a reasonable price! I highly recommend this for all wine lovers!
During my time studying at Dragon Phoenix, I have really felt the joy of learning and I believe it has been the most wonderful learning experience of my life. Due to my lack of professional knowledge in wine and a relatively weak foundation in English, I felt a sense of pressure and difficulty when I first started. But with the help of Dragon Phoenix, I was able to pursue my dream. Our teachers are mainly Fongyee Walker MW and her husband Edward Ragg, both of whom have a very high professional knowledge and make the classes extremely vivid and wonderful. Dragon Phoenix keeps on impressing me!
Studying for and completing the WSET Diploma Award in Wines and Spirits at Dragon Phoenix was not a particularly difficult experience, but it was never easy! Fongyee’s analysis of the WSET Level 4 Diploma course structure is very important and highlighted to me how, although each unit is independent, the learning is holistic. Xing Wei also provided some support with exam answering skills, which was very helpful and allowed us to understand exam strategy better.
It’s been just two years since I started learning about wine! Transformed from a beginner to a super-fan; from enjoying simple self-study to exploring the professionally structured training at Dragon Phoenix; from feeling an emotional connection with wine, then developing a systematic way of studying and tasting. I learnt everything with passion and have become more professional too! This has provided me the opportunity to understand more advanced information about wine, even though there is always more to learn. If you really love wine, you should know that, thanks to the WSET and Dragon Phoenix's education programs, more people in China are now coming into the wine world with a professional and serious attitude!
