“Familia Torres” initiated the environmental programme “Torres & Earth” in 2008 to combat the effects of climate change on the wine industry. Most of these actions are implemented and tested at the “Mas La Plana” estate (Pacs del Penedès, Spain), where the winery, the “Wine Centre” for visitors and the “El Celleret” restaurant are located. With this programme, Familia Torres is demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, which is leading to concrete progress in adapting the vineyards to climate change, preserving biodiversity, energy efficiency and responsible water management. The Wine Centre and Jardí Restaurant El Celleret embody Regenerative Food Tourism (RFT), offering environmentally conscious wine and food tastings and tours. The RFT experience includes guided tours through the winery in a solar-powered train, along with expert-led wine and food pairings and various tastings. Opened in 2019, Jardí Restaurant epitomises the fusion of wine and gastronomy in an elegant setting with panoramic views. The restaurant works according to a farm-to-table philosophy and sources high-quality, local ingredients from its own organic garden and farm. Familia Torres’ commitment to responsible practises makes it an exemplary model for RFT.
Familia Torres winery is at the forefront of regenerative viticulture and actively contributes to the preservation of local biodiversity and the regeneration of ecosystems. By carefully maintaining wooded areas between the vineyards and growing indigenous grape varieties, the winery utilises techniques that create optimal conditions for organisms to thrive. This commitment to biodiversity plays a crucial role in ensuring a healthy insect population for effective pollination of the vines (Familia Torres, 2016). Miguel Torres Maczassek, the Managing Director of Familia Torres, exemplifies this commitment by also serving as President of the Regenerative Viticulture Association (Spain 2021). The association’s mission is to transform the management of vineyards worldwide by utilising the carbon cycle. Familia Torres actively uses this cycle to regenerate soils, prevent erosion and improve biodiversity, thereby strengthening the resilience of the vineyards and actively combating climate change. The winery’s core philosophy, regenerative viticulture, involves mimicking natural processes to restore life to the soil, resulting in increased soil vitality, improved carbon absorption, and the creation of a balanced ecosystem that benefits the vineyard and the planet as a whole (Asociación Viticultura Regenerativa, 2023).
Familia Torre’s long winemaking tradition (the company started producing wine in the Penedès in 1870) and success led the company to allocate 11% of its total annual investment into funding biodiversity research projects that help manage their land and adapt their winegrowing practices to changing climatic conditions.
Project Number: 2022-KA220-VET-89ACFE12
Project Number: 2022-KA220-VET-89ACFE12