Profile of González Winery, Sherry, Spain

Profile of González Winery

Wine Map Sherry
Profile of Sherry Wine Region

Founded back in 1835 by a partnership between Spanish Manuel Maria González Angel and his British agent Robert Blake Byass, González Byass is one of the "classic bodegas" of the sherry triangle (Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria). The winery itself is still family owned, and boasts vineyards in the best parcels of Jerez- Macharnudo, Carrascal and Burujena. The sherries produced at González Byass include Finos, Manzanillas, Olorosos, Amontillados, and Pedro Ximénez styles. The flagship sherry though is one single brand, Tio Pepe (Uncle Joe). Tio Pepe has singlehandedly change the way people perceive sherry. With domestic demand sagging and even the reliable export markets waning in the mid nineties, the top Sherry houses had to do something to avoid financial meltdown. González Byass launched an aggressive marketing campaign, showing young people enjoying bone dry sherry in elegant wine glasses, countering the misperception of thimbles of sweet sherry that grannies sipped on. Their advertising campaign was one of the most creative and dynamic wine campaigns in Spain in recent years. Along with sherry, the company produces and distributes other wines (in La Rioja, Cava and even Chile), Brandy (the Soberano brand is one of the most prestigious brandies in Spain, with an exquisite bottle designed by the Royal Factory of La Granja), Olive Oils and vinegars (at the posh Hacienda de Bracamonte) and various fruit and cream liqueurs.For the wine tourist, González Byass is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Sherry country. They have various cellars, quite romantic and atmospheric and really breathing the history.

"A solera of 214 butts of sherry ages in this circular bodega which was drawn by the English engineer Joseph Coogan and built after the visit of Queen Isabel II of Spain in 1862.The roof design with no central support is the origin of its name La Concha (The Seashell) and has been attributed to Eiffel. In 1882 Manuel Mª González hosted a banquet in this bodega for HM King Alfonso XII and later invited King Alfonso XIII on various occasions. In the year 2000 Their Majesties Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía lunched in this unique bodega... The name of the "Los Apostoles" bodega, dating from 1857, has an interesting origin. In honour of the visit in 1862 of Queen Isabel II, a special authentic grape-pressing was performed for her. This produced a quantity of must or grape juice that was 33 times the capacity of a normal barrel. The Company's founder then commissioned from a Heidelberg cooper an immense barrel to hold this volume: this became known within the Company as "El Cristo", since 33 was believed to the age of Jesus Christ when he was crucified... And then we come to "Los Reyes" (The Kings). This classic Jerezana bodega is dedicated to the Spanish Royal Family and houses the finest treasures of our Company's wine stores. These are our oldest sherry wines and part of our collection of vintage sherries or "añadas". Its barrels are dedicated to and signed by members of 6 generations of Spanish royalty who have honoured the Company by visiting our bodegas." - gonzalezbyass.com

Expert Tasting Notes:

Gonzalez Byass Apóstoles: "Deep mahogany with greenish tinge, bright. Concentrated nose with raisins, honey and lots of oak. Very full, rich and oily, with intense oak, raisins and tobacco. Lovely thick texture and a long, bitter finish. Outstanding but dry enough on the finish to need food." - Brian Calder, winenotes.co.uk

Gonzalez Byass San Domingo: "With 100 grams per litre sugar, this is heavenly sweet, but balanced. One of the BEST quality `Pale Creams` on the market. Fab lemon, spice and butterscotch on the palate. A fully sweet style with oodles of rich figgy fruit and a long tangy finish." - oddbins.com

Address:
Winery Address: Manuel MO. González, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz), Spain
Tel:+34 956 357 043
Fax: +34 956 357 000
Web: www.gonzalezbyass.es
Email: nacional@gonzalezbyass.es

Winery Details
D.O.: Jerez- Xéres- Sherry y Manzanilla
Founded: 1835
Owner: González Family
President: Carlos Espinoso de los Monteros
Winemaker: José Alberto Casas
Import/ Export: 30% Domestic, 70% Export
Other wineries in group: Bodegas Beronia (Rioja)m Croft (Jerez), and Castell de Vilarnau (Cava)
Area under Vine: 1350 ha (850 ha own estate vineyards)
Oak: American oak
Age of Vines: 18 year old vines average, "Vara" and "Pulgar" pruning methods
Grape Varietals: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez

More Information:

If you would like Cellar Tours to customize a Wine Tour in Spain or Luxury Day Excursion in Spain, for individuals or groups, contact us on: info@cellartours.com