Marimar Torres Estate

The California wine industry has room for all types of entrepreneurs, but there is no other like Marimar Torres and her organic wine monarchy. Tucked back in western Sonoma County is a Spanish wine heiress who oversees an organic vineyard producing elegant, sophisticated wines that match her own personal grace, culture, and breeding. In addition, they have the largest winery dogs in the county.

Ms. Torres built a Catalan-style winery on a side of a hill in the foggy Green Valley Appellation. The attractive winery, with its red tile roof, bright
blue-highlighted mustard-yellow walls and lovely outside courtyard is a splendid place to visit. The interior has many Spanish-style details, with a tile floor, chandelier, family photos, and portraits of Spanish nobility. There is a full gourmet kitchen in the winery, which is appropriate, as Ms. Torres is an accomplished chef with two cookbooks to her credit.

The Torres family is well known in Spain, Chile, and most recently in the small towns of Sonoma County. Their extensive vineyard holdings in Spain and Chile are some of the largest in the world. In Green Valley, things are a bit different from the grand salons of Madrid, Barcelona or Santiago — and that is just fine with Marimar, as she is known in this small, rural close-knit community. Never boring, Marimar surprised many when she commissioned two ten-foot tall “replica” winery dogs, complete with red tongues, which stand guard over the vineyard. (Look for sheep in the vineyard that help keep the weeds down and the soil nourished.)

The boutique winery has a focus on producing the region’s flagship wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In May 2006, the Marimar Estate Vineyard completed the arduous process of becoming a California Certified Organic Vineyard. In 2008 they announced the addition of their 37,600 Kwh solar program cutting their power needs  in half.