When you visit Jerez you must take a tour of at least one of its sherry bodegas. Some of the main ones listed below include:
Gonzalez Byass, Sandeman, Domecq, Harveys, Williams and Humbert, Garvey and a couple of smaller wineries
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.
Below we’ve listed all the main wineries in Jerez with a short explanation of their tour and contact details.
Tours will usually be arranged on request. Check their websites listed below for up to date information on times of tours in particular languages and entrance fees.
Gonzalez Byass
Established: 1835
Address: c/ Manuel María Gonzalez, 12
Tel: 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 audi-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.
Websites: www.gonzalezbyass.com / www.bodegastiopepe.com
Sandeman Jerez
Established: 1790
Address: c/ Pizarro, 10
Tel: 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.
Website: www.sandeman.com
Domecq
Established: 1730
Address: San Ildefonso, 3
Tel: 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.
Website: www.domecq.es
Harveys
Established: 1796
Address: c/ Pintor Muñoz Cebrián
Tel: 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.
Website: www.domecq.es (Domecq now own Harveys)
Williams and Humbert
Established: 1877
Address: Ctra. Nacional IV, Km.641.75 (Jerez-Puerto de Santa Maria)
Tel: 956 151 500
A personal favourite purely because they produce Gran Duque de Alba brandy (my chosen brand). 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.
Website: www.williams-humbert.com
Garvey
Established: 1776
Address: Ctra. Circunvalación, s/n
Tel: 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 metres. 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.
Websites: www.grupogarvey.com
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 publicised so attract far fewer tourists. A few suggestions are listed below.
Alvaro Domecq
Established: 1730
Address: c/Madre de Dios, s/n
Tel: 956 339 634
Website: www.alvarodomecq.com
Bodegas Tradición
Address: Plaza Cordobeses, 3
Tel: 956 168 628
Website: www.bodegastradicion.com
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