BODEGAS (CELLARS) IN JEREZ


Jerez`s wine cellars are large spacious buildings with high - tiled roofs. They are designed in such a way to keep constant temperature and humidity in semi-darkness, conditions essential for the production of sherry. The tour provided by each of the wineries specifically details the history of their company within the general context of the history of sherry in Jerez de la Frontera.

Gonzalez Bypass - Established: 1835
Address: c/ Manuel María Gonzalez, 12
Phone: 956 357 016
As producers of the world famous Tio Pepe sherry this is the most famous and most visited of the wineries (it is actually the 2nd most visited winery in the world). The novelty factor of their tour is a miniature train which transfers you around the complex. The tour begins at their most prestigious cellar called La Concha then takes you to a larger cellar where the alcohol smell is quite wonderful.

An audio-visual show tells the story of the company`s development and a visit to the barrel room where celebrities have signed their names in chalk is very interesting. It`s ironic to see Margaret Thatcher`s barrel next to Primo de Rivera, General Franco`s right hand man! And look out for the glass of wine and piece of cheese on the floor which is placed there every day for the cellar mouse.
The tour ends with an opportunity to taste the sherry then you leave via the winery shop.

Sandeman Jerez - Established: 1790
Address: c/ Pizarro, 10
Phone: 956 312 995
If you`re pushed for time in Jerez this is a good winery tour to select because it`s right next to the Royal School of Equestrian Art where the dancing horses show takes place. Therefore, you can walk from the horse show directly to the Sandeman tour and tasting. The tour takes you into several wineries for their different Sherries including Fino and Oloroso then you get to see the bottling area and go for a tasting session.

Domecq - Established: 1730
Address: San Ildefonso, 3
Phone: 956 151 500
The is Jerez`s oldest cellar where a guided tour takes you through the winery`s history with a audio visual presentation and takes you into Bodega de la Luz where Spain’s first brandy, Fundador, was born. The tour naturally concludes with the best bit.. The tasting and the shop visit.

Harveys - Established: 1796
Address: c/ Pintor Muñoz Cebrián
Phone: 956 151 500
On this tour the guide explains the process of making and ageing Harvey’s sherries in one of their historical cellars along Calle Arcos where the world famous Bristol Cream brand was born. The tour culminates in the tasting of Harveys Bristol Cream in the 19th century Don Ramiro patio.

Williams and Humbert - Established: 1877
Address: Ctra. Nacional IV, Km.641.75 (Jerez-Puerto de Santa Maria)
Phone: 956 151 500
Producers of Gran Duque de Alba brandy. This is the largest bodega complex in Europe which has been producing some of Jerez`s finest wines for over 200 years. As well as a tour of their installations there is a horse exhibition on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Garvey - Established: 1776
Address: Ctra. Circunvalación, s/n
Phone: 956 319 650
A fascinating history of a young man from Dublin who settled in Jerez and sent small amounts of wine back to Ireland and England. His son developed the business as the Bodega de San Patricio which became the city`s largest for over 125 years occupying 30,000 square meters. He was the first to export fino from Jerez and in 1858 was responsible for exporting the first barrel of brandy which sailed from Cadiz for London. You can learn more about this fascinating story and the process of wine and brandy production on the Garvey tour. Full day wine tasting courses with lunch can be arranged.


Smaller Wineries:
All the above wineries offer general tours which are open to the public most days. These can get very busy during peak holiday periods. As an alternative you can arrange a Private Tour of their premises with tasting though this will obviously be far more expensive. A cheaper alternative is to go to one of the smaller, more intimate bodegas which are less well publicized so attract far fewer tourists. A few suggestions are listed below.

Alvaro Domecq - Established: 1730
Address: c/Madre de Dios, s/n
Phone: 956 339 634

Bodegas Tradición
Address: Plaza Cordobeses, 3
Phone: 956 168 628
As well as rare, single-barrel aged sherries, this boutique bodega has a well-presented collection of Spanish art, including a fine Goya, a ravishing Velázquez and a wonderful Julio Romero de Torres.

Bodegas Real Tesoro y Valdespino
Ctra. N-IV, Km. 640
Phone: 956321004
The largest of the bodegas, it has a stunning collection of contemporary and modern art, a museum of carriages, a store of old labels and a stud farm of rare, blue-black Spanish stallions.
From Monday to Friday: Visits in English: 12:30PM
Afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.

Bodegas Almocaden
Jardinillo, 16
Phone: 956185324
Monday to Friday: 9AM, 10AM; 12NOON, 1PM

Bodegas Blanca Reyes
Puertas del Sol, 22 - 24
Phone: 956342534

Bodegas Dios Baco
Parque Empresarial, C/ Tecnología A-14
Phone: 956333337
We strongly recommend making reservations in advance.

Bodegas El Maestro Sierra
Plaza de Silos, 5
Phone: 956342433
From Monday to Thursday: 9AM to 1:30PM
Afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays, prior reservation required.

Bodegas Emilio Lustau
Arcos, 53
Phone: 956341597
Mondays – 10AM to 2:30PM; Tuesdays through Fridays: 10AM to 5PM; Saturdays: 10AM to 3PM

Bodegas Entrechuelos
Ctra. Jerez - La Ina Km. 14,5
Phone: 856030073

Bodegas Faustino González
Barja, 1
Phone: 956335184
Prior reservation required.

Bodegas Gran Mariscal S. XVIII
Cazón, 9
Phone: 956341428

Bodegas Hidalgo
Clavel, 29
Phone: 956341078

Bodegas Luis Pérez - Hacienda Vista Hermosa
Camino Rompecerones s/n.
Ctra. Sanlúcar – Trebujena
Phone: 679488372

Bodegas Paternina Jerez
Diego Fernández Herrera, 4.
Phone: 956332973
Monday to Friday: 11am & 12:30PM with prior reservation. For other times, check on availability.

Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla
Jardinillo, 7 y 11
Phone: 956182454
Visits must be arranged in advance.

Bodegas Sánchez Romate
Lealas, 26
Phone: 956182212
Organized groups: Reserve in advance.