Good wine respects nature

Miguel Torres

Unfortunately, climate change is a reality, proven by scientists and experienced by the inhabitants of the planet. We are astonished to witness the speed with which this is taking place and believe everyone should make a contribution in the fight against this threat.

Seaweed bed to absorb the CO2 from wine fermentation through photosynthesis

At Torres, we have always worked with the fruits of the earth. We will continue to practise a viticulture that respects the environment, as we have done over the last 30 years. Wherever possible we have always used biological alternatives, rather than products that aggressively impact on the environment.

Our commitments

We will continue to collaborate in the protection of the Penedes forests in Spain. This includes taking care of our own 1,550 hectares (3,830 acres) of forest, across different regions of Spain, plus 300 hectares (741 acres) in Chile, our 2,000 hectares of vineyards (4,940 acres) as well as the protection of the Bonelli’s Eagle, with the Conservation Biology Team of the Animal Biology Department of the University of Barcelona. In Chile, we will continue to work with the Union of Ornithologists of Chile (UNOCH) in their struggle to protect the Andean Condor and in the Seychelles, supporting the Island Conservation Society to protect the native birdlife.

	Tremp Vineyard, Pre-Pyrenees (altitude: 900m)

In support of our care for the environment, we have taken the following measures:

1. We installed, in 2008, permanent photovoltaic panels on a surface area of approximately 12,000 m² at our Winery facilities in Pacs, Spain. Consequently, we shall obtain peak power of 670 kW, which will initially cover 11% of our wine cellar’s electrical energy requirements. We have scheduled the subsequent installation of mobile photovoltaic panels, along with other available technologies, to increase cover to 15% of the winery’s total electrical energy needs. The investment required exceeds 4 million euros.

2. We will continue to use solar panels to heat water. Recognising this, a few years ago, the company was awarded a grant by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. While this system now produces 50% of the hot water requirements of our bottling plant, we expect it will eventually produce 70% of our total requirements.

3. We are participating in 2010 in a wind park promotion to generate 2.8MW of energy with an investment of 650,000 euros.

4. Since December 2007, we have been using an electric delivery van in Barcelona.

5. We will be progressively renewing (over a four-year period) our fleet of 100 vehicles, used by the company’s representatives, through the purchase of hybrid vehicles that offer minimum fuel consumption. In September 2009 we reached 45 vehicles.

6. We will donate five million Euros to research projects aimed at reducing CO₂ levels in the atmosphere, as well as its capture and storage. We are already experimenting with the capture and channelling of CO₂ from wine fermentation and its retention by means of a seaweed bed at our Winery in Pacs. This could allow us to immobilise this greenhouse gas and avoid its accumulation in the troposphere.

7. We are also looking for new scenarios to adapt vines to the present climate reality.

8. We will continue to treat and reuse 15% of the wastewater that we produce, as we have been doing to date, although we are determined to increase this recycling to 40% over the next few years. Rainwater collection systems will be implemented at our Winery facility in Pacs, storing it throughout the year with an expected volume of five million litres in 2010.

9. We are reducing energy consumption by insulating our stainless steel containers, the construction of underground warehouses and redesigning circuits.

10. Lastly, over the coming months, we shall launch a macro-project to utilise our biomass. The marc and stalks of the grape generate six million kg of waste a year which, using a gasification process, can produce electricity for consumption (Tri-Generation Project 2010-2011).
The objective of our Winery for 2020 is to reduce the output of CO₂ by 30%.

Torres electrically-powered delivery van in Barcelona

Miguel Torres
W: www.torres.es
W: www.torresgreen.com