Familia Torres recently hosted an open day at its Mas La Plana estate in Pacs del Penedès, as part of the Regenera.cat project. Around thirty professionals from the primary sector, research and scientific communities, as well as local winegrowers and winemakers, attended the event to gain first-hand insight into the viticulture project that the family-run winery has been advancing since 2021 to regenerate its organic vineyards. 

Innovation in the service of sustainability 

The event provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen alliances, and accelerate the transition towards more resilient and environmentally friendly viticulture. In his welcome address, Javier Retana, Professor of Ecology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), researcher at CREAF (Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications), and coordinator of Regenera.cat, outlined the scientific foundations of this agricultural model and presented preliminary results from the project, which involves four different crops located across Catalonia. 

Representing Familia Torres, Mireia Torres, Director of R&D, and Xavier Sort, Director of Sustainability, highlighted the dual motivation behind the adoption of regenerative viticulture: restoring soils to foster biodiversity and vineyard resilience, and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions through increased carbon sequestration in the soil. These efforts are aligned with Familia Torres’ goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040. 

During her speech, Mireia Torres remarked: “Innovation enables us to address the challenges of climate change directly in the vineyard. The research projects in regenerative viticulture in which we participate help to demonstrate how this agricultural model allows the soil to accumulate organic carbon, recover its fertility, and, at the same time, provide resilience to the vineyards and produce wines of greater complexity.” 

Organic and regenerative viticultural practices 

Attendees then toured the iconic Mas La Plana estate to learn in detail about the regenerative practices implemented by Familia Torres across its organic vineyards, which now total more than 500 hectares. Mauro Sirvent and Marc Pascual, members of the viticulture team, explained key practices such as the use and management of cover crops, the integration of animals into the vineyard, the adoption of more efficient irrigation systems, the importance of selecting the most suitable plant material to address new climate scenarios, and innovative designs for new plantations. The team noted that the severe drought affecting the region between 2021 and 2023 posed a significant challenge to implementing these practices, requiring constant adaptation and innovation to maintain vineyard viability and productivity. 

Regenera.cat experimental plot  

Eva Bertran, microbiology technician at Familia Torres, described the monitoring of various agronomic, environmental, and biodiversity parameters in the regenerative plot where the CREAF research project is being conducted. In the vineyard, she presented some of the results from this and other research initiatives involving Familia Torres, such as VITIREGENERE and SMARTCROPS 5.1. According to Bertran: 

“After the first year, the soils in the regenerative plot have shown greater moisture and a tendency towards more moderate temperatures. This second year, with more favourable conditions, we hope to observe more conclusive results.” 

Association of Regenerative Viticulture 

Finally, Montse Catasús, winemaker at Familia Torres and secretary of the Association of Regenerative Viticulture (AVR), introduced the association, which was co-founded in 2021 by Familia Torres and other producers as the result of an operational research group. The AVR promotes collaboration, training, and the dissemination of best regenerative practices, consolidating a network of winegrowers at an international level who share the goal of regenerating soils and improving the health of winegrowing ecosystems. 

The day concluded with a tasting of wines certified with the RVA (Regenerative Viticulture Alliance) international seal: Clos Ancestral White 2024, Clos Ancestral 2024, and Jean Leon Vinya Gigi 2024.