Adress: Eras de Santa Catalina
Country: Spain
internet: http://www.marquesdeolivara.com
Wine district: Rioja
wines
The New Rumasa Group’s acquisition of the Marqués de Olivara winery seven years ago, has further enhanced the reputation of the Denomination of Toro wine region. The region, which forms part of the Olivara estate, is regulated by the rigorously high standards of origin and quality which constitute the ‘Denomination of Origin’ controls. This winery, or ‘bodega’ to give it its proper name, produces a wide range of wines, from the very young ‘crianzas’, to the older more mature, ‘reservas’.
The Marqués de Olivara bodega was founded 30 years ago by Luis Mateos, an entrepreneur from the Toro area. Following the New Rumasa takeover and subsequent investment programme, the bodega has been producing top quality wines for well over 7 years.
The bodega has fused the latest production methods with state of the art technology, investing heavily in fermentation equipment. One such example of this investment, is the use of concrete storage vats, capable of conserving some 28,000 litres of wine and used in malolactic fermentation (concrete is used because it conserves bacteria in the fermentation process better than staineless steel). Another example is the presence of two fermentation units of some 600.000 litres. These two units are particularly emblematic given that very few subterranean storage units of this size actually exist, although neither is currently in use.
The bodega has a total floor space of 15,000 square metres, of which 7.200 square metres contain buildings and plant facilities. The vineyards are managed by the resident ‘bodega’ oenologist, Coro Blanco, who ensures that high standards of quality are rigorously applied at every stage of the production process. Establishing long term contracts with local wine growers not only fosters trust and confidence, but also allows us to monitor the grape production process guaranteeing the best results for our customers.
A huge investment and modernisation programme combined with a complete structural overhaul of the bodega has been undertaken in order to meet the challenge of becoming a pioneering presence within the Toro wine region.
From the dark, blood red Toro grape high quality wines are produced. At present approximately some 800,000 litres are sold under various brands, with plans to produce 2 million litres within two to three years. These new, young wines will be launched under the brand name Viñas de Olivara.
Our top of the range wine, is traded under the Marqués de Olivara brand. Exquisite presentation and superb wines - both crianzas and reservas - make this range of wines a luxury for even the most demanding palates. Only grapes from the oldest vineyards - averaging 40 or more years – and only the best barrels are used. Under the expert eye of the world famous oenologist D. Pascal Chatonnet, French oak barrels from the best cask and barrel makers from around the world were sourced, in order to identify which would adapt best to the Toro grape or as it is known ‘la tinta de Toro’, and thus obtain a product of only the highest quality.
Our products are distributed through Bodegas Garvey, with significant exports to the foreign market. At present, our exports constitute 20 to 25% of our turnover, but in the next few years we aim to increase this to at least 50% of our business turnover.
Within the domestic market, our main clients are located in Castilla y León, with a significant number also in Madrid, Barcelona and the Levante.
The world renowned wine expert, Robert Parker, has predicted that Toro wine will be a leader in the western wine market in the coming years.
The Winery or Bodega
Our short-term goal is to increase the number of barrels to 900, of which 90% is French oak
