September 10th 2020 – Vilafranca del Penedès (Barcelona) / Alexandria (Virginia)
Familia Torres (Miguel Torres S.A.) and Empson USA announced today that effective September 8, 2020, Empson USA will be the exclusive importer in the US for Torres’ lead brands such as Sangre de Toro and Viña Esmeralda. The decision was taken by Torres due to a change in the route-to-market-strategy for the US market.
Tara Empson, CEO of Empson USA stated, “There is a strong, natural synergy between our companies, we are both tied to family and the values that have been passed to us. We believe that the key is to always honor and maintain our family legacy, and at the same time be versatile and proactive in today’s industry. We are very delighted to add Torres’ prestigious family name to our US portfolio and we look forward to accelerating their growth in this market, and many more milestones together.
Miguel Torres, 5th Generation and General Manager of Familia Torres stated, “We are of course very pleased about this new partnership and are looking very much forward to grow together with Empson USA in the strategic US market in the coming years. My grandfather and father started with our so-called ‘Timeless Classics’ and it is great to see them in the very capable hands of Empson USA.”
Through this new distribution set-up, the Torres’ lead brands can get a more tailored focus, given the special characteristics of the distribution structure for wines in the US.
About Empson USA:
As an importer of top quality, distinctive, family-owned estates, Empson USA provides service to wine and spirits brands from Italy, New Zealand and Chile. Wines from Italy include: Bellafonte, Bellini, Bongiovanni, Bortoluzzi, Boscarelli, Bucci, Ca Rome, Canella, Carpineta Fontalpino, Cignale, Conterno Fantino, Corte Giacobbe, Costanti, Costaripa, Einaudi, Fantini, Ferghettina, Fuligni, Gaudio Bricco Mondalino, Hauner, IL Feuduccio, Jankara, Lagaria, Le Casematte, Marcarini, Marchesi Pancrazi, Matane, Mimosa, Molo 8, Monte Antico, Musita, Pietradolce, Reversanti, Rossini, Santadi, Shardana, Speri, Supremus, Terrabianca, Toscolo, Vigneti del Vulture, Vigneti Zabu and Viziato.
About Familia Torres:
The origins of the Torres family in the Catalan Penedès region – near Barcelona – date back to the 17th century. Historically the family has vineyards in the Catalan appellations of origin Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Priorat and Costers del Segre. Miguel Torres fourth generation pioneered in planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain creating ‘Mas la Plana’ in 1970. Today the fifth generation is focusing on recovering ancestral Catalan varieties. The Torres family is present in other Spanish iconic regions with singular wines and vineyards. Internationally Torres was the first foreign family to invest in Chile back in 1979 and today Torres leads the recovery of ancient varieties like País and Carignan. Familia Torres is a member of PFV, an association of 12 wine families who are among the most prestigious wine producers of their regions.
