Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/724494
w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m S e p t - O c t 2 016 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 5 1 arimar Torres, owner of Mari- mar Estate Vineyards & Win- ery in Sonoma County, was born into European wine roy- alty. Part of the fourth genera- tion of the famous Bodegas Torres wine company of Spain, Torres became fascinated with the fam- ily business at an early age. She went to the University of Barce- lona to earn her business degree, and then, fluent in six languages, she traveled the world promoting Torres wines. Yet despite all her accomplishments and drive, Torres knew she wouldn't have a hand in running the family business. She was a well-bred, young woman in Francoist Spain of the 1970s. As such, her fate was to be a fashion- able lady, marry a rich man and live a life of leisure. But Torres isn't the leisurely type, sitting back and awaiting her destiny. She's more of a take-the-bull-by-the-horns, never-say-die type. With that independent streak and tenacious spirit, Torres left the Old Country and moved to the American West. She set her sights on running her own winery and, after exploring the area for a few years, she settled down in the Green Valley region of Russian River Valley. A world away from the mansions and ser- vants of her youth, Torres had just enough money to buy some land, plant half a vineyard and then sell those grapes to plant the rest. But her family, which had been hoping for her return, didn't give their way- ward daughter the funds to start a winery. Undeterred, Torres rolled up her sleeves and just kept working. Following her first harvest, she took her grapes to an outside facil- ity to make the wine there. When finished, she traveled back to Spain with a few bottles so her family could taste it for themselves. Even under the best of circumstances, Torres' father was not one to give praise. And these were not the best of circumstances. Her father took a sip of the wine and remained silent for a while. Then he turned to his wife and announced: "This is the best white wine I've tasted in my life. We must build a winery in California." connections to the best restaurants in Spain, so I was able to use those connections to travel all over Spain and get many wonderful recipes. It was all very exciting, but very time- consuming — it took two years full time. It was my first big project that was all my own. I had complete control but also complete respon- sibility. I learned so much about cooking — and also about work and myself and life. That was a long time ago, but now I see my guests enjoying this food, and I know that all that work I did back then is still paying off and it is a part of my life even now. [ V&WM ] I mentioned to a friend in the wine industry I'd be inter- viewing you, and the first thing she said was: "You know how Margrit Mondavi is the ultimate hostess, the grande dame of Napa Valley? That's what Marimar is for Sonoma County." Are you aware that that's your reputation? [ MT ] Thank you so much. Being compared to Margrit is an honor. I believe many of us in this business very much enjoy that aspect of it. You want to create a lovely expe- rience for your guests. You want excellent wine but you also want good food and good company and talking and laughter. That's what we're really creating for our guests and wine club members; a wonder- ful time, a wonderful memory. [ V&WM ] Tell me about your wine events. [ MT ] We just started a new wine experience in which we make the Not long afterward, with the help of her mother and brothers, Torres built her eponymous winery and planted another vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. She's been mak- ing exceptional wines ever since. On a recent visit to the winery, Tor- res and I sat down for lunch and an interview: Vineyard & Winery Manage- ment [ V&WM ] This is a wonderful meal, thank you. And it seems that these are all Spanish dishes, is that correct? Marimar Torres [ MT ] Yes, and all the recipes come from the two cookbooks I wrote ["The Spanish Table" and "The Catalan Country Kitchen"]. [ V&WM ] Have you always liked to cook? [ MT ] When I was young, I wasn't allowed to cook. The cooks did the cooking. I was supposed to grow up to be a lady and so I wasn't allowed in the kitchen. I'd sneak in sometimes and made very good friends with the cooks, and when my parents went on trips, I could help a bit, but I didn't really know how to do anything. It wasn't until I'd already moved to the United States that I began to cook. Back then, not many people here knew much about Spanish cuisine, and I wanted to show them what we have back home. Plus, I figured, I'd need some authentic dishes to pair with my wines once I had a winery. So, I decided I better learn to cook, and I just jumped into it by writing a cookbook. My family has many + Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain + Current Position: Founder/Proprietor + Professional Background: Bodegas Torres export sales manager until a 1975 move to California. She holds a degree in business and economics from the University of Barcelona, is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program and studied enology and viticulture for a year at UC Davis. Today, she oversees her winery and vineyards in Russian River Valley. All wines produced are estate grown. + Personal Interests: Skiing, running, biking, tennis and exercising MARIMAR TORRES' RÉSUMÉ