Profile of Miguel Torres
There are many contestants for the title of Spain’s most iconic wine estate, but in our opinion, Torres stands head and shoulders above the rest. A living legend among wine lovers, sommeliers, and critics the world over, the name Torres has been associated with wine ever since the family planted their first vineyards in Penedès more than three centuries ago. From the very beginning, since 1870, when the company was founded, Torres has been true to its roots and has received worldwide recognition for its wines and brandies.
Despite the global acclaim, Torres owes its origins to the vision of just one extraordinary man – Jaime Torres Vendrell. Having spent time in Cuba, Jaime Torres decided to start a bodega (winery) in the Penedès region near Barcelona, constructing his buildings next to the railway station. For decades his business thrived and expanded, including the move into distillation in 1928. Sadly, the Spanish Civil War outbreak in 1936 would cost the family dearly, not least in the partial destruction of the winery during a bombing raid in 1939.
Nevertheless, the family recovered from this ordeal, rebuilding the winery in 1940. 1954 saw the release of perhaps the firm’s most iconic brand – Sangre de Toro – which remains deeply emblematic of Torres and Spanish wine in general. However, Torres’s real turning point was in the 1960s, when Miguel A Torres began planting international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in Penedès – a hitherto unheard-of practice. His vision was for Penedès to become the first Spanish region to embrace French and other varieties, a vision that has clearly been realized. Subsequently, both the Torres Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon – Milmanda and Mas La Plana – were recognized as being among the best in the world; in the 1970s, Mas La Plana beat Chateau Latour at the Paris Wine Olympiad tasting to great acclaim.
However, this is a family that would never rest on its laurels, despite such great achievements. In 1979, Torres started its expansion into Chile, while Marimar Torres planted her first vineyards in California in 1982. Since then, both the wines and indeed Miguel A Torres have been showered with awards, including the Decanter Man of the Year award in 2002 and Lifetime Achievement award in 2011.
Today Miguel’s son, Miguel Torres Maczassek, is the fifth generation to run the company as Managing Director. At the same time, his beautiful and talented sister, Mireia Torres Maczassek, is in charge of R&D. Yet despite their modern approaches and ideas, Torres’ philosophy remains rooted in the mantra of founder Jamie Torres; respect for the terroir and historical traditions, combined with a willingness to adapt and explore new regions and wine styles. Indeed, expansion is very much part of the Torres DNA – in 2016, they released their inaugural sparkling wine brand, called Cuvée Esplendor 2013 by Vardon Kennett.
According to Miguel Torres Maczassek, the wine is named after a Briton who lived on the property during the early 19th century. “Great wines are born from exceptional vineyards with unique stories that have always been there and which need to be rescued from oblivion. Vardon Kennett’s story is indeed one of them,” says Torres.
Another example of the incredible energy, vision, and innovation comes as second nature to this true legend of Spanish winemaking.
You can experience a Private VIP Winery visit of the Torres estate with Cellar Tours on a Penedès Wine Tour
Wines produced
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2011 Grans Muralles
A varying blend of Garnacha, Monastrell, Querol, Cariñena and Garró. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before being aged in new French oak for 18 months. One of the top reds of the Torres family, Grans Muralles will cellar for at least 10 years after release.
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2012 Mas La Plana
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before being aged in 85% new French oak for 18 months. One of the most iconic Torres red wines, Mas La Plana will cellar for at least 15 years after release.
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2014 Perpetual
A varying blend of Garnacha and Cariñena. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before being aged in new French oak for 18 months.
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2014 Salmos
A varying blend of Garnacha, Syrah and Cariñena. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks (malolactic fermentation in new French oak), before being aged in French oak for 14 months.
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2014 Celeste Crianza
100% Tempranillo. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks (malolactic fermentation in French oak) before being aged in French and American oak for 12 months (partially in new barrels).
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2015 Belleterra
100% organic Merlot. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before being aged in 10% new French oak for 6 months.
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2013 Gran Coronas
A varying blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before being aged in 30% new French oak for 12 months.
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2014 Milmanda
100% Chardonnay. The wine is barrel fermented (100%), followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel (55%). It is then aged in 300-liter barrels. 60% new French oak sourced from Nevers.
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2015 Fransola
100% Sauvignon Blanc. The wine is fermented in 50% stainless steel tanks and 50% french oak, whereafter the wine is aged for 8 months in barrel (50% new oak, combination of American and French oak)
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Esplendor -Vardon Kennett
A blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Xarel-lo. A traditional method sparkling wine, produced from grapes grown in our Alt Penedès vineyards at 550 meters.
Winery details
Comerç, n. 22
Villafranca del Penedès, 08720
Barcelona
Tel +34 93 817 7400
Fax +34 93 817 7444
- Appellation
- DO Penedes (Torres wines are produced from a variety of appellations across Spain)
- Founded
- 1870
- Area under vine
- 1300 ha
- Age of vines
- 30 years+ Low yields
- Oak barrel origin
- French and American
- Winemaker
- Torres Family and Josep Sabarich
- Owner
- Familia Torres
- Grape varietals
- Xarel.lo, Parellada, Moscatel, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Riesling, Garnacha, Cariñena, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Monastrell, Garró, Samsó