Press Release: Compañia de Siembra Hojas de Tradicion Announces Launch

October 23, 2013 (Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic) — 2013 will be hailed as the year it all started for Luis Sánchez, owner of Tabacalera LTC SRL, Terry Johnson, owner of T.L. Johnson Cigar Company and Juan Francisco “Pancho” Reinoso former agronomist for Philip Morris International with the announcement of their new Dominican farming operations and leaf company, Compañia de Siembra Hojas de Tradicion. The company’s immediate focus will be growing tobacco for combined in-house cigar production (Tabacalera LTC SRL) along with leaf production for sale. A leaf processing facility and brokerage firm is in the plans for 2014.

Terry Johnson and Luis Sánchez. (Photo courtesy of T.L. Johnson Cigar Co.)

Planting has begun, with the first crop of Criollo 98 for the spring 2014 season and expansion plans are in the works for mid-2014 season growing of Dominican filler, binder and wrapper leaf. Company agronomist Juan “Pancho” Reinoso brings on board 33 years of experience from Phillip Morris and will oversee daily farming operations. “We are pleased to have on board such an experienced partner, who is so greatly respected within the Dominican tobacco growers’ community”, said both Sánchez and Johnson.

Luis Sánchez plans to divide his time between US and Dominican Republic on a monthly basis to oversee the farming operations and to develop the processing facilities. Sánchez also plans to devote time to the expansion of Tabacalera LTC and its partnership with Cia. de Siembra Hojas de Tradicion. Sánchez brings 20 years in the cigar manufacturing industry (La Tradicion Cubana Cigars).

Terry Johnson will remain at the helm of the marketing /sales department of the cigar distribution company for the remainder of 2013 and thru 2014 with plans to work on developing relationships with International cigar manufacturers for the leaf company (Cia. de Siembra Hojas de Tradicion). Johnson has an extensive background in farming and ranching operations and will join the team on a quarterly basis in the Dominican Republic as a consultant for the farming operations.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.