ANDALUCÍA - CÁDIZ- JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA - BODEGAS PEDRO DOMECQ

BODEGAS PEDRO DOMECQ

The Pedro Domecq Bodega (famous for Harvey’s Bristol Cream, Terry’s Brandy and Fundador Sherries) is an enjoyable experience that can be arranged shortly before visiting.

The guides speak good English and give an in-depth tour of the bodega. They explain how the different types of sherry and brandy are produced, stored, bottled, and marketed under their distinct brand names.

The Solera system is explained. To keep the sherry tasting the same, a third of the wine is drawn from the oldest barrel at the bottom of the solera for bottling, replenished with a third from the next oldest barrel, and so on.

There is also an excellent museum, illustrating visually some of the heritage of the bodega.

An old bottling machine.

The tour takes one and a half hours and culminates in a tasting, with a brief stop at the shop.

The premises housing the bodega itself are beautiful. It has an immaculate garden and courtyard that can be used as a wedding venue. It was easy to find in the old part of the town, and the staff made you feel very welcome.

Wonderful old trees.

Harveys Bristol Cream (a blend of fino, amontillado, oloroso and PX) was blended in Bristol, England, by the Harvey family (who never actually lived in Jerez), hence the name. It is said the best way to have Bristol Cream is to have it chilled with two slices of orange and ice, unlike Grand Mothers who keep it in the cupboard for Christmas :-)

Brandy was discovered when 500 barrels of pure white spirit were left unsold for five years. When tasted later, they discovered it had taken colour from the wood, tasted rather fine (with less alcohol content) and had turned into this new drink, which they initially called cognac, then brandy, to distance it from the French version!

The Terry Family was originally from Ireland and moved to El Puerto de Santa Maria. There, they became destitute and ignored, eventually being cared for by local fishermen. Out of gratitude for this, they covered their bottles with fishermen’s nets once they became wealthy, which is still part of the branding today.

Many of the barrels (always made of American oak) have been signed by famous people like Bo Derek.

Seve Ballesteros

When the barrels are around 70 years old, they are sold to Scottish whisky makers, who believe the sherry-stained wood adds flavour to the whisky, so nothing is wasted.

Famous people like the Duke of Wellington used to have their own casks.

King George V

You will get a demonstration of the various types of sherry (fino, amontillado, oloroso and PX) and brandies in their various states of maturity in the museum at the end of the tour.