A leading European winemaker, Familia Torres, is facing the harsh reality of climate change impacting its ancestral vineyards in Catalonia. The 83-year-old president, Miguel Torres, expressed deep concerns about the future of winemaking in traditional growing areas due to increasing dryness and heat caused by climate change.
“We do not rely on the weather,”
Miguel Torres emphasized as Familia Torres takes proactive steps like installing irrigation systems and exploring higher altitude lands to mitigate the effects of extreme conditions brought on by climate change. He acknowledged the inevitable changes ahead, stating,
“Climate change is changing all the circumstances.”
With a rich history dating back to 1870, Familia Torres has been deeply rooted in Catalonia’s winemaking heritage. However, faced with escalating challenges from climate change, Miguel Torres painted a stark picture of potential relocation within the next few decades:
“In 30 to 50 years’ time, maybe we have to stop viniculture here.”
The impact of climate change is already evident through rising temperatures in the Penedès region where Familia Torres operates. Over the past four decades, they have observed a significant 1-degree Celsius increase in average temperature. This shift has led to earlier harvests and necessitated innovative techniques to preserve grape quality for winemaking.
To combat these challenges effectively, Familia Torres is diversifying its vineyard locations by expanding to higher altitudes such as Tremp and Benabarre in mountainous regions that offer cooler climates better suited for grape cultivation. Additionally, implementing water-saving practices has become a priority to ensure sustainable winemaking practices amidst changing environmental conditions.
Despite efforts to adapt and innovate, European vineyards including those owned by Familia Torres have experienced significant production declines attributed to extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts. Concerns about continuity in harvests loom large as warming trends threaten the very foundation of winemaking traditions.
Furthermore, economic pressures compound these challenges as increased costs from irrigation implementation eat into profits while navigating competitive markets fraught with uncertainties like import tariffs and taxes imposed on wine exports. Miguel Torres highlighted struggles with maintaining profitability amid cost escalations particularly affecting exports to key markets like the U.K.
In response to economic constraints and market dynamics post-Brexit era regulations affecting wine trade flows between Europe and Britain—Familia Torres is exploring strategic solutions such as bottling wines locally in the U.K. instead of importing bottled products due costly packaging taxes on glass bottles.
Miguel Torres underscored that adapting business models will be crucial for sustaining operations amidst evolving market landscapes shaped by geopolitical shifts and climatic unpredictability:
“We have no profit in exports… We have to keep it alive.”
Ultimately highlighting a delicate balance between tradition preservation and adaptive strategies necessary for surviving turbulent times ahead.
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