We were met at the door of Bodegas Tradición (you have to knock!) by Ulrike Eisenbeutl, who we later found out had been drawn to Jerez from her native Austria many years earlier by her love of sherry wines. Her knowledge and enthusiasm was apparent from the start and I really enjoyed her easy-going nature, letting conversation drift from wine and gastronomy to travel and art.

Tradición produces “only” four VORS wines, and one brandy, and they will occasionally bottle some limited edition finos and other special orders. We tried their entire selection: splendid 30-year-old amontillado, oloroso and palo cortado, followed by a 20-year-old Pedro Ximénez. And that brandy! All exceptional.

The other exceptional aspect to our visit was the private art collection of bodega owner Joaquín Rivero, including works by Zurbarán, Velázquez, Valdés Leal, Goya, Murillo, Sorolla and some plates and tiles painted by an 8-year-old Picasso. At the bodega the works on display change from time to time, and Ulrike is just as knowledgeable about art as she is about wine.

Tours are given in Spanish, English, German, French and Italian, and must be booked in advance. A unique experience, definitely not to be missed.

Bodegas Tradición
Calle de los Cordobeses, 3
Tel 956 16 86 28