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146 In 1981 she started the search for the a perfect microclimate for growing perfect property to plant a vineyard, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. and – after two years of searching Building on the success of her first – she bought 25 hectares of land in enterprise Marimar then decided Sonoma County, close to the town of to buy a magnificent new 180–acre Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley property in the Sonoma Coast appellation, an area which arguably appellation, naming the vineyard ‘Dona produces the finest Pinot Noir in all Margarita’ in honour of her mother. of California. After writing her first Only 20 acres are planted, all of which book, “The Spanish Table” in 1986, are Pinot Noir. The rest of the estate

IMAGES This page – Left – Cristina she planted her vineyard, initially with is a dedicated conservation area Pinot Noir, the icon wine of Marimar

Estate. Right – Marimar Torres in her Chardonnay and then in 1988 with which is protected from any future – CALIFORNIA, USA MARIMAR ESTATE home at Sitges, Spain. Pinot Noir – naming the vineyard ‘Don development so that wildlife can thrive. Opposite page – Marimar Estate winery, in the Russian River Valley. Miguel’ after her father. Species include groves of redwood,

I benefit from a collective experience of 135 years of winemaking and my education continues to this day...

Today the Don Miguel Vineyard fir, oak, madrone, pine and bay. The encompasses 50 planted acres. About estate has hundreds of redwoods 20 are planted with Chardonnay, set amidst wild forest that are 20 with Pinot Noir, five with Albariño, protected and will therefore remain five with Tempranillo, two with Syrah untouched. The vineyard borders and one with an experimental block these trees and has been laid of Godello. out with ecological sensitivity. The Green Valley, one of Sonoma Combining this ecological County’s coolest growing regions approach with her European wine with its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, making heritage, Marimar has provides an excellent growing season, sought to ensure that all of her allowing the grapes to develop slowly wines are made entirely from estate to full intensity. Nestled in the rolling grown grapes, providing a true hills of Western Sonoma County, the expression of this unique terroir. Russian River Valley appellation has

147 The first release, 1989 barrel- completely sustainable method of IMAGES This page – Bottom left – Marimar Torres hosting one of her fermented Chardonnay, debuted in viticulture which regards the property ‘club’ events – Top right – Marimar and her dog Chico at the Don Miguel April 1991 to great acclaim. In 1992, a as one single ecosystem. Vineyard. Bottom right – Marimar 15,000 case winery was built and the Sonoma County, in California, has Estate winery. estate’s first Pinot Noir was produced. started an initiative to become the first As a passionate believer in the 100% sustainable winegrowing region environment, Marimar has employed in the United States. Marimar Estate, sustainable practices in her vineyards signed on to the SCW’s (Sonoma and the winery. The property is 100% County Winegrowers) statement of solar powered and she has taken her principles and received its certificate environmental commitment further in 2017. This certificate is based on by developing biodynamic farming practices that ensure the sustainability methods across her entire estate. of the land and building a sense of Ecological farming methods have community with neighbours, seeking a been employed across all of the balance that respects both the natural vineyards since 2003 and the estate and social environment in which the was granted full organic certification work takes place. in 2006. Since then the estate has evolved and now employs a

As a passionate believer in the environment, Marimar has employed sustainable practices in her vineyards

148 USA , MARIMAR ESTATE – CALIFORNIA MARIMAR ESTATE

Sustainable viticulture draws on crops provide an ideal habitat for production methods that, through beneficial insects, natural predators the use of water, soil and natural of harmful pests; chickens are bred resources, make it possible to to increase biodiversity; boxes for meet the needs of producers and owls are nestled in the vineyard and consumers without compromising beehives have been established, or destroying the basic natural as the ecological role of bees has resources that will be necessary a positive influence on the sexual for future generations. The model reproduction of plants. In addition is built on economic efficacy, social to this, the people involved in these fairness and ecological sustainability. processes are also highly valued. At Marimar Estate, the commitment Family pride and integrity have to the environment has increased enabled Marimar Torres to blend continuously over almost two centuries-old traditions with the latest decades. The entire winery and innovations to produce outstanding

IMAGES This page – Above – the two houses on the property wines known the world over. Marimar Marimar and her daughter Cristina, with their dogs Chico and Bonita. are 100% solar-powered; waste is herself has become a symbol of Bottles – Marimar Albariño, recycled creating its own compost this heritage. Marimar La Masia Chardonnay and Marimar Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir. for fertilizing the vineyard; cover

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