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SPAIN
– GRAPES –
An aerial view of Torre Oria
TORRE ORIA: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The origins of this winery date back to the end of the 19 th century.
The Oria de Rueda family had been successful in the silk industry in
Valencia, but over time, the family decided to move their business
to the city of Requena, 60 km away in the inland parts of Valencia.
With the decline of the silk industry, they decided to convert their
business to wine, although legend has it that a great storm in
around 1897, which destroyed mulberry trees and ruined their silk
business, was the determining factor in building the winery.
Around 1925, after 25 years of making still wines, José Oria de
Rueda made the decision to buy his first 500 barrels with which to
age wines. The winery has now been producing wines matured in
oak for decades.
Since 1970, sparkling wines have been crafted at Torre Oria, using
the traditional method. After years of legal wrangling, in 1993
it became the first winery with the Cava designation outside the
Penedés region, the original location of the Cava designation
of origin.
In 2012, Eloy Bautista became the principal shareholder at Bodegas
Torre Oria, after a long career in the wine industry. He decided to
start a new project with a clear strategy focused on the international
marketplace.
Bodegas Torre Oria is aware of the competitiveness of the wine
sector in international markets, where it is not only competing with
Spanish suppliers, but also with international producers.
74 AUTUMN 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE