Members of the International Wine Academy gathered in Jerez for a study tour focused on one of Europe’s great wine-growing traditions.
Over the course of three fascinating days, organized by members Juancho Asenjo and Juan Carlos Lopez de Lacalle, we deepened our understanding of the history, terroirs, aging processes, and diversity of Jerez wines.
We had the privilege of meeting the people who are helping to keep this legacy alive today while supporting its evolution.
Our sincere thanks to:
• Jesús Barquín and Eduardo Ojeda for their warm welcome at Equipo Navazos and their remarkable insights into the diversity and uniqueness of the great wines of Jerez.
• César Saldaña, president of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Designation of Origin, for his comprehensive presentation on the history, identity, and challenges facing the designation.
• Jan Pettersen for his warm welcome at Bodega Fernando de Castilla and for sharing his vision of Sherry wines.
• Our member Peter Sisseck for his generosity and for the exceptional tasting of Viña Corrales, a fine example of the interplay between terroir, tradition, and innovation.
• Antonio Flores and Silvia Flores for their warm welcome at González Byass and their passionate sharing of the family’s expertise.
• Willy Pérez and Ramiro Ibáñez for their outstanding presentation of El Corregidor, which highlights the renewal and creative energy currently evident in the appellation.
• Montse Molina and Javier Blanco for their warm welcome at Bodegas Barbadillo, a must-visit destination in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
We would also like to thank the many producers, winery managers, winemakers, and other members of the Sherry industry who shared their time, their wines, their expertise, and their passion with us throughout our stay.
Beyond the tours and tastings, this trip gave our members a deeper understanding of the complexity of the terroirs, the unique aging processes, and the remarkable diversity of Sherry wines.
It was also an opportunity for conversation, friendship, and reflection on a living wine-growing heritage that is deeply rooted in a culture, a region, and a shared history.
Jerez reminds us that wine is much more than just a product: it is a memory, a legacy, and a connection between people and places.
Wine, a shared treasure of humanity.
Photo credit: @ Philippe de Lur Saluces
