Sherry Masterclass in Sanlúcar

Overview

Would you like to know everything there is to know about Sherry wines and brandies? We have just the thing for you – a genuine Masterclass where you join in and learn all about the fabulous history, cultivation, harvest, aging, pairing, blending, cocktails and of course tasting…

With the whole of Andalucia in easy reach from Sanlúcar, we can add on visits/tours/stays to everywhere from Jerez, Cadiz or Seville to further afield Madrid, Gibraltar or even Tangier. Sanlucar itself is not on the normal UK Holidaymaker Trail so why not choose to stay there, enjoy the sandy beaches and relaxed lifestyle and be one of the few Brits in Town.

Join us for our Sherry Masterclass in Sanlúcar!

Located of the bank of Guadalquivir river, Sanlúcar's town wins visitors hearts because of its light, magnificent gastronomy and the beauty of its sunsets.

Its strategic position, in the outer harbor of Seville defines its brilliant history. Chosen as favorite holiday place for the aristocracy of the XIX century, its majestic streets are sprinkled with marvelous buildings. The Santiago castle, the Palast of the Orleans and Borbón and Medina Sidonias Palast are all worth seeing.

The delightful gastronomie of Sanlucar of course couldn't exist without the unique Sherry which ages in its wineries: La Manzanilla. And which place is best to taste it? In our especially chosen family winery of course.

In our San Antonio winery, built in 1821 you will have the chance to taste one of the best Manzanillas of Sanlucar and other different sherries.

With a choice of delightful Hotels in the Town you won't be disappointed with this destination for your unique Sherry Masterclass.  

Itinerary

SAMPLE 3 DAY ITINERARY - 2 & 1 DAY TOURS ALSO AVAILABLE

Day 1: Usually a travelling day unless you’re already in the area, we’ll be meeting you from the plane or train and escorting you to your hotel or meeting you there if you’re on a self-drive.

Day 2: This is where the learning really starts. After breakfast you’ll be taken to La Manzanilla!

In the San Antonio winery, built in 1821, you will have the chance to taste one of the best Manzanillas of Sanlucar plus other different sherries.

You’ll learn about the harvesting and all our secrets. Crushing, pressing, fermentation and clarification will similarly be explained in the same detail..

Of course all this learning can’t be done without a tasting and food and over Lunch you’ll be introduced to some of our wines, accompanied by a selection of cold Tapas dishes.

Knowing everything there is to know about how our grapes are grown, harvested and stored, we now move onto another part of your Masterclass – the blending process.

Our most appreciated Sherries outside of Spain are without doubt those that have been blended: the cream, pale cream, medium and medium dry.

Our Winemaker will pass on to you many of the skills he uses in making these blends, not just in words but also by practice.

Now it’s time to leave and head to Jerez, where depending on numbers, in our Bodegas or one of our Partner Restaurants you’ll experience the next and very different part of our Masterclass.

Some people still think that Sherry is only to be bought at Christmas and even then only drunk by people of a certain age.

Those in the know however are predicting that Sherry will soon follow Gin as the new Cocktail of Choice, by both young and old.

You’ll therefore learn how to make a variety of cocktails using our Sherries - simple to exotic - from the best Master Blender in town.

Bouganvilla, Cream & Cream, Sherry Negroni and many more appealing cocktails designed to be enjoyed any time, any day, any season. In summer a very popular drink in Jerez is El Rebujito, known in English as Sherry Cobbler (Sherry, sugar, soda and a lemon slice).

Then it’s time to finish the day with a superb meal at our Restaurant of choice accompanied of course by some of our finest wines.

Day 3: Today you’ll not only be learning all about the history of La Manzanilla & San Antonio Winery, but also the history of sherries and wines in the area.

You'll taste even more sherry and wines locally produced in the area today too!

Lunch will once again be a variety of tapas served in the Bodegas with time to wander at leisure around its portals, before moving on to the next part of the Masterclass.

As final touch for our SHERRY MASTERCLASS we will enjoy a Final Dinner at an award winning Restaurant, where you will receive a Diploma for your participation in the Masterclass, whilst enjoying a sumptuous meal, accompanied of course by the best sherries/wines.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

If you're more interested in learning about the pleasures of preparing Tapas, wanting a full blown Spanish Cookery Course or just to learn from Award Winning Chefs some of the tips to Cooking with Sherry - we can arrange it. Our Chefs even take you to the Market to show you how they choose the best meat, fish, cheese and vegetables as part of the process!.   

Depending on your time we may offer you the visit to a liquor distillery and to a beer brewery

Cerveza de Bodega 15&30 Sherry Cask Beer - Brewery

You'll have the chance to visit Cerveza de Bodega 15&30 Sherry Cask Beer Brewery on this tour!

As it could not be otherwise, our Brewery is situated in the historic center of Jerez de la Frontera. With over two centuries of history, it has housed a winery from its inception. We have given our maximum respect.

"If you want to visit the brewery, come to Jerez and you will be able to enjoy a paired tasting with our authentic artisan beers".

The VISIT to the brewery consists of an explanation of the project, its history, the evolution of sherry wine and its casks, the adaptation of the building, and the facilities in general.

  • A brief introduction to the WORLD OF BEER, styles, types, raw material, and production systems.
  • A tasting of our beers in to the building´s original configuration and have adapted it in order to allow us to create a beer of maximum quality. the different stages of brewing: fermenting, green, mature, in the barrel, …etc.
  • A visualization of the system that uses barrels for aging, its characteristic Layer of Yeast, and our unique system of Sherry Cask aging.

The TASTING, consists of trying the 4 different styles of beer currently being made, each served in a 25cl tasting glass. The four beers are the Blond and Dubbel, (Belgian) and the Barley Wine and IPA (English). You will also taste a product that is still in development and which will be explained by our production team.

 

Also, at the end of the tour, you will have the opportunity of trying a 45cl LIP-type glass of the styles that we will serve directly from the barrel (BLOND or DUBBEL).

All of this will be accompanied by nuts, cured cheese, ham, breadsticks, and potato chips.

There will also be the opportunity to buy individual bottles of the 4 styles of beer that are currently available on the market, as well as those that have not yet been marketed, at SPECIAL PRICES.

You can find more information here

Cacao Pico - Distillery

You'll also have the chance to visit Cacao Pico Distillery on this tour! The liquor is crystal clear with the aroma of a freshly baked chocolate cake.

Pico Distilleries are located in the city of El Puerto de Santa María, in the "frame of Jerez", traditional area in wines and liquors. It was founded in 1824 by D. Manuel Pico and after 3 generations as a family business, in 1940 it was incorporated in a company called:  Destilerías del Cacao Pico SA

It is in 1952 when it passes into the hands of the Merello brothers, current owners of the business. The small size and the familiar character are constant throughout the life of the distillery, things you'll see on your Tour as you try this wonderful liquor..

You can find more information here

 

 

Dates & Inclusions

Tour dates: Various travel dates for this Tour are available, contact us on 01422 847 847 or through our Holiday Request Form for more details.

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