The Institute of Masters of Wine and international trade publication the Drinks Business announce Miguel A. Torres as the winner of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award
The award recognises an outstanding and inspirational individual with a life-long commitment to wine excellence and is chosen every two years by Masters of Wine from around the world. The honour has previously been presented to Robert Mondavi (2005), Marchese Piero Antinori (2007), Jean-Michel Cazes (2011), Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (2013) and Hugh Johnson (2015).
Miguel A. Torres, the President of Torres, was unveiled as the 2017 recipient in front of Masters of Wine and industry professionals at a ceremony in Vinexpo, Bordeaux today (19 June 2017).
Introduced by Patrick Schmitt MW, Editor of the Drinks Business and presented by Jane Masters MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Miguel was delighted to receive the recognition and said, “I am of course extremely proud and honoured, and would like to thank the Institute of Masters of Wine – the Chairman, the IMW team, the Drinks Business and of course all Masters of Wine – for this Lifetime Achievement Award. I especially would like to highlight the extraordinary work, effort and dedication of our worldwide Torres team and my family. They all actually made it possible where we stand today as a winery. But allow me to give a very special thank you to my wife Waltraud, who helped build our winery (and the German market!) and raise our three children – Anna, Mireia and Miguel – and of course my sister Marimar and my brother Juan-Maria.”
Miguel A. joined the Torres family business in 1962, after studies at universities in Barcelona and Dijon, where he specialised in Oenology and Viticulture. He has written several books, the most recognised being Vineyards and Wines. First published in 1977 it is now in its seventh revised and updated edition, available in Spanish and English.
During his long career he has travelled all over the world, visiting more than 50 countries. He speaks English and French, has studied Japanese and Russian for several years, and by his own admission speaks an ‘acceptable’ amount of German, after being married to his German wife Waltraud Maczassek for 50 years.
His outstanding contribution to wine has been recognised over the years. He was honoured by the Chilean government in 1996 with the Grand Official of the Order of Bernardo O’Higgins, in recognition of his services to improve Spanish-Chilean relations, as well as for his contribution to developing the wine trade in Chile. He also received the Golden Plaque of the Civil Order of the Agricultural, Fishing and Food Merit (Placa de Oro de la Orden Civil del Mérito Agrario, Pesquero y Alimentario) in 2013, awarded by the Council of Ministers of Spain.
Presenting the award to Miguel A.Torres, Jane Masters MW said, “I am honoured to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Miguel A. Torres. After more than 50 years, Miguel continues to lead our industry by example - he embodies the Institute's mission of excellence, interaction and learning. He is committed to environmental conservation investing in R&D, implementing initiatives and sharing these best practices to encourage others.”
