MILMANDA
Located within the geographical confines of the DO Conca de Barberà, the Milmanda estate sits at the base of the Prades Mountains, amid hills enveloped in the scent of rosemary, juniper, and thyme.
The site is blessed with the ideal conditions to grow Chardonnay and a vinicultural history steeped in the cultural traditions of the Cistercian Order. Rising majestically from the heart of the estate is Milmanda castle.
Milmanda vineyards, a Familia Torres property, with Milmanda castle visible in the background
At Milmanda, the roots of history dig deep into the layers of time. Local archaeological vestiges provide evidence of the past presence of Iberians, Greco-Phoenicians, and Romans. The latter established a Roman villa next to the present-day estate to take advantage of the location's proximity to the Via Aurelia, which ran between Tarraco and Llerda (Tarragona and Lleida).
The Visigoths built a castle here, which was later fortified by the Arabs. After Count Ramón Berenguer IV freed the county from Islamic rule in 1136, the Milmanda estate became a feudal and abbatial property. From then on, written records provide insight into the various owners.
Milmanda castle, a Familia Torres property, surrounded by Chardonnay vineyards
In the 13th century, the monks of Poblet turned the domain into a farm. The castle was the stony witness and protagonist of battles between Templars and abbots.
By the 16th century, the rustic and militaristic role of the estate gave way to royal serenity, serving as lodging for prominent figures and delegates during their visits to Poblet.
Returning to the present and points of vinicultural interest, the estate lies at 500 meters above sea level. It has both limestone and grayish-brown limestone soils. The Mediterranean climate has a continental influence and an average temperature of about 14.5 degrees Celsius, although the Miramar mountains alleviate the summer heat, bringing in a gentle sea breeze in the evenings. The sunlight benefits the Chardonnay vines, which grow facing southward. This helps ensure healthier plants and harvests.
Environmentally friendly winegrowing practices combined with well-ripened harvests that emphasize quality over quantity sow the seeds for the wine to come.
Chardonnay grapes at Milmanda estate, a Familia Torres property
During the winemaking process, barrel fermentation in new French oak endows the wine with its characteristic profile. By controlling and conditioning the temperature, the winemakers can keep the wine on its lees for months, where it gradually assimilates its own yeasts and develops a richer profile thanks to their aromas. The resulting wine is recognized and admired the world over. It is intensely elegant with an incomparable personality.
Milmanda is a white wine made from Chardonnay grown in the vineyards around Milmanda castle in the DO Conca de Barberá.
At Milmanda, history and culture are engaged in a close conversation that speaks to an ancestral heritage of tending to the land and our legacy.