Vicki Zhao used to be a huge fan of local veteran actor Li Nanxing, is now close friends with him

Actress Vicki Zhao, an old fan of the local actor, is now his girlfriend, colleague.

When Chinese actress Vicki Zhao was in primary school, she was fascinated by the experienced local actor Li Nanxing after watching his TV shows from the 80s.

Today, the couple have known each other for 10 years, after being introduced by common friends.

And their friendship turned into a working relationship after Li, 54, signed with the Zhao management office.

It was also cast in a new Chinese web series, Everyone wants to meet you, produced by Zhao and broadcast in December.

Zhao, 43, told local media in Mandarin: "Many viewers in China know Nanxing ge (Chinese for older brother).

But in the past 10 to 20 years, they have never really had the chance to watch TV dramas or movies in Singapore.

"So I thought casting him in the web series would be a good opportunity for them to see him on screen again. The entire crew treated him like an idol because he was so dedicated, polite and respectful of others."

During filming, Li fell in love with the red wine produced by the vineyards of Zhao in France and suggested that she introduce it to the Singapore market.

In 2011, she bought Chateau Monlot in Saint-Emilion in Bordeaux, hoping to push it to the top of the Bordeaux estates.

The first wines under Zhao's vision were introduced to the Chinese market in 2015 before he found his way in Asia and the world.

An avid wine lover, Zhao - who bought her fourth castle in July - was in town on Tuesday to launch her Chateau Monlot Bordeaux wines at Grand Cru Wine Concierge at The Fullerton Hotel.

She said: "I started drinking alcohol when I was 25 or 26 years old. I decided to stick to wine after realising that not only is it beneficial for my skin, it is also healthier (than other alcoholic drinks) and not fattening (compared with other alcoholic beverages)."

Despite her focus on producing and managing her wine business, the performance has taken no place since she sings the theme song and stars in the upcoming movie, Two Tigers.

Although she hopes to include a wine scene in every production in which she is involved and would like to invest in a film with a wine theme if the opportunity presents itself, the wine trade is not her top priority now.

"The number of bottles sold is not really a prime concern," she said.

"I just want to share this hobby of mine with everyone, and I am contented that I can now buy and drink my own wine in Singapore."

On plans to expand her wine group, Zhao said: "Some chateaus are not for sale.

"I bought the recent one because it was an organic chateau, which is not common in France. I feel people are getting more health-conscious and thus more than happy to drink organic wine."