Santa Teresa

One of Venezuela's most historical plantations - Hacienda Santa Teresa - was founded in 1796 in the Aragua Valley and is known for growing coffee, sugar cane, and cacao. By 1826, the plantation was owned by German merchant Gustav Vollmer, who married local Panchita Rivas - marking the beginning of the legend of Santa Teresa Rum and the Vollmer legacy. The facility is run by the 5th generation of the Vollmer family, Alberto, who continues to push the company further by integrating new refining processes and adopting the solera method - a method perfected and passed down by the 4th generation of Vollmer descendants. Santa Teresa Rum released its bicentennial bottling in 1996, aptly named Santa Teresa 1796 - a masterful blend of solera-aged rums that matured for up to 35 years and achieved international acclaim. The brand also played a vital role in certifying Venezuelan Central Valley rums under the DOC act - Denomination of Controlled Origin - coding the region's reputation akin to Champagne, France's French wine status.