CORK

Estibaliz Torrealba 
Sustainable Performance Manager 
Pernod Ricard Winemakers 
La Rioja, Spain

Born in Bilbao, northern Spain, Estibaliz’s love of wine and her husband brought her to La Rioja, her adopted home.

MAGIC.

A natural cork is an essential element in the success of our wines. The cork allows in and filters the oxygen required for the wine to develop in a balanced way, while at the same time ensuring its conservation and controlled ageing. The purity of the cork, its natural, almost raw quality, is fascinating. There is a striking tactile connection between these immense oaks and the few centimetres of cork that seal the bottle.

Conchi and I have known each other for 15 years. The first time I visited a cork oak forest and experienced a harvest was with her. What a discovery: I was intrigued, captivated by the process – a manual harvest using a method that respects the trees and the woods and bears witness to a genuine love of nature. It was a moment of magic.