Bodegas Fariña

The wine town of Toro evokes images of Spain’s romantic medieval heritage. The dusty Castilian plains are punctuated by ruined castles, Roman bridges, and vineyards. The stunning Romanesque Colegiata church is the center of this modest town. It lies in the DO Wine Region of Toro, northwest of Ribera del Duero. It has become famous for big blockbuster reds made with the Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) grape variety. In fact, as prices have risen in neighboring Ribera del Duero faster than a wildfire, many see Toro as the new value for money, quality wine region in Spain. A red wine region (although small amounts of DO white are made with the Malvasia and Verdejo grapes), wines are made with 100% Tinta de Toro. The reds are voluptuous and huge, with an average alcohol content of 13.5-14%. John Radford, the Spanish wine expert, says of the Toro region, “These grand, uncompromising, magnificent, Wagnerian wines are not, perhaps for the faint-hearted, but they are as rich, complex, and powerful as they have always been and remain among the boldest in Spain.”

Bodegas Fariña is considered by many to be the best winery in the area, founded back in 1942. Manuel Fariña, director and patriarch of the winery, is extremely active with the local regulatory council and is known as one of Spain’s brightest and most dynamic wine professionals. The main brand is called “Colegiata,” named after the lovely church. Colegiata wines include white, rose, red, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Old Vine wines.