ANDALUCÍA - JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA - BODEGAS JOSE ESTEVEZ

BODEGAS REAL TESORO Y VALDESPINO

This is an excellent bodega to tour, getting an all round view of sherry production and other associated activities.

To start the tour of the bodegas facilities, you will meet in the main reception area.

You will then be taken through the world of Sherry wines, across the different wine cellars.

Marqués del Real Tesoro.

Marqués del Real Tesoro

Valdespino.

This bodgea is huge, classical music is played to the sherry gently, throughout the day.

The bodega is a beautiful building, built only recently but it recreates an authentic 18th century bodega perfectly. It is filled with nostalgic photos of the owners family and has wonderful furniture, paintings and antiques.

The original Valdespino

Our guide coped very well flowing from Spanish to English and back again. She was witty and knowledgeable of the bodega and its wines, it made the tour, very interesting.

Apart from sherry, you are taken to see the best native horses of Jerez de la Frontera at the bodegas stud, Real Tesoro.

The stables, house around 15 black horses. They are bred there and are used during fiestas and fairs.

Dogs are also kept here, which keeps away any rats...

We came across a vintage horse drawn carriage which is used for special occasions.

Next, you will see, where the horse drawn carriages are stored.

To complete the tour, you will be taken through to some of the best contemporary art in the bodegas Art Gallery, located in the main building, which includes, Picasso, Miro, Dali and many more.

Finally, you are taken to the main hall where you are offered a tasting of the bodegas sherry. The bottles are left on the table for you to help yourself. We had, amontilado, cream and PX. You can also buy sherries from their shop.

The tour lasts around two hours at a cost of €12.5 per person, which is excellent value.

A brief history of Bodegas José Estevez S.A.

The origins of the José Estevez S.A wine cellars (bodegas) are from the José Lena Rendon and Co. which was established in 1809 for ageing sherry and brandy.

Since 1974 the Estevez family has managed the entire company and in 1984 the name of the company was changed to Jose Estevez S.A. In keeping with the traditions of a family business, great importance has been given to the care of the ageing of the wines.

In 1982, Jose Estevez de los Reyes bought a large proportion of shares in the Marques del Real Tesoro bodega, then taking over the whole company in 1985.

In 1989, the Estevez family drew up a plan to merge the two companies, José Estevez S.A. and Marques del Rel Tesoro S.A., investing in a brand new facility, the actual headquarters you are visiting today.

Following this philosophy of expansion, in May 1993, the international brand of fino, Tio Mateo, was acquired, as well as its complete solera. One of the oldest wineries in Jerez, A.R. Valdespino was acquired in September 1999 and in 2007, the Estévez family took control of Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín y M. Gil Luque, proprietors of the well-known Manzanilla La Guita from Sanlucar de Barrameda, which is the market leader in Spain.