Author: Dirk Chan
deVine welcomes Miguel Torres Brand Ambassadors Mr. Toni Batet and Mr. Cristian Castro on Monday, April 26 at 7pm for an evening of sampling of Torres’ Spainish and Chilean portfolio offerings. Here is a great opportunity to visit and taste with one of Spain’s original pioneers (over 300 years old) and Award Winning winery (Miguel Torres was named Decanter Magazine’s Man of the Year in 2002). This is a rare monday night sit-down tasting for us, so book early here…
The Torres family surname has been linked with wine for more than three centuries, during which time their ancestors have worked vineyards in Penedès, a land with a millenarian tradition of wine.
In 1979, further expansion into Curico in Chile was added to the portfolio and in 1989, the Marimar Torres Estate was started in Russian River featuring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape. Today, Torres exports to over 130 countries.
Miguel Torres have 1700 hectares in Catalonia, which provides a quarter of their production. They make up the shortfall by buying in grapes, but unlike many other big companies, they don’t buy wine. Moving out of their Catalan home, they now make wine from other Spanish regions, with a 40 hectare estate in Toro, and a 140 hectare Jumilla property, of which 50 hectares is so far planted. For four years they have had a small cellar in Ribera del Duero, where there is now a surplus of grapes, so they buy these in rather than owning their own vineyards. The most recent move has been to Priorat (Catalonia’s most famous region), where they made their first wine in 2005 in a rented cellar; since 2007, it was made in their own winery there.
Torres was founded in 1870 and is 100% family owned. Miguel is 4th generation; the 5th generation is already in the company. In 2005 sales were 2.5 million cases, up from 600 000 in 1993. More than 1000 people are employed in the company.
In Chile, Torres purchased a 90 ha vineyard, Fundo Maquehua, in Curicó back in 1979. Subsequent purchases include the 55 ha Fundo San Francisco Norte vineyard in Lontue in 1984, Manso de Velasco, Fundo Cordillera (110 ha), Fundo San Luis de Alico (45 ha) and Fundo San Luis de Alico (45 ha). Another two vineyards are under long-term lease, and altogether holdings total a very substantial 400 ha. The wines are true to their varietal, very reasonably priced and of consistently good quality which has a very loyal following.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a brilliant night of wine and conversation with the Torres’ Brand Ambassadors, people behind the scenes of this great name.