As newly affluent Chinese have become consumers of vintage wines, California vineyards are not only eager to tap into that demand, they're also eager to get a foothold in the fine wine market in China.

Family Wine makers of California, a trade association of more than 500 family-owned wineries, and Stonebridge Research Group, a major research firm for the wine industry, have been awarded a $369,292 grant from the US Department of Agriculture to help sell California fine wines in China.

"Most of the wine producers in California are small, family-owned producers of handcrafted, fine wines - some of the finest wines in the world," said Barbara Insel, president of Stonebridge. "Many wine consumers in China are not aware of these wines, of their history, exceptional quality or the people who have devoted their lives to making them. That's what we're trying to change."