Jerez de la Frontera Travel Forum

I know by now from reading on Andalucia, that it would be almost sacreligious to see it without visiting a Jerez Bodega. But I can't seem to find the right one to visit, nor prices of visits or even if we absolutely need a reservation (how long in advance?). I also read somewhere that most of them close for the month of August (which cut out a big chunk of our availability in the area). Can someone help me on which one to visit, rates, schedules and time lenght of visits, as we will be again in the vicinity of Jerez on Friday Sept.2nd, Saturday Sept.3rd and Sunday Sept.4th (start of Festival del Otono?)?
Thank you so much... Bodegas' websites are probably as mysterious as the making of their product!

Hmmm... I visited the Gonzales Byass distillery in Jerez way back in Sept 2000, so can't quite remember all the details. We basically just turned up at the place and waited for about 1/2 hour before getting in with the the next group visit (in English). The visit itself was abt 45 mins I think, then you do some sherry tasting and spend all the time you want at the shop. Sorry I can't help with schedules, etc. Also see my Andalucia pages for some ideas about what other things to do around the area.

I'm pretty sure the bodegas are closed on Sundays. Here is the scoop out of my Lonely Planet guide to Andalucia (c. 2004):

Gonzalez Byass (956.35.70.00), tour costs 7 euros and are offered between 11:30-2pm and 3:30-5:30pm Mon-Sat. Oh look, on Sunday they have tours from 11:30-1:30. Bite my tongue!

Sandeman (956.15.17.11), tour is 5 euros and are offered 10:30-3:30 Mon-Fri.

LP says you can just show up without reservations to those two places. You might want to try contact the Tourist Office as they may have a more complete listing of bodegas in town: www.webjerez.com (956.35.96.54). Actually I just checked the site and voila!

http://www.turismojerez.com/index.php?id=135&L=1

That should give you all the info you need. Hmmm, I should have checked that in the first place!

Spot on Andy, that is one of the best starting points to find out when and where you can visit. See my travel tips for some info and web links - I can recommend the two we've been to. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/7ff8f/40cf1/4/?o=1&i=1

yes August is traditionally the time when Spain has holidays and many businesses are closed. There are many Bodegas in Jerez as you will know. I visited the Emilio Lustau one recently and was most impressed however this one does require a pre reservation and you need to obtain a time for the guided tour with personal guide. The more popular ones are Gonzalez Byass and Pedro Domecq. But there are quite a few ! Crofts (original sherry) is a beautiful bodega. Willian Garvey is another. Williams and Humbert and harveys (Bristol Cream fame) and the list goes on and on... Maybe stick with the Gonzales Byass or Domecq ones and enquire using their website for a specfic day.

here is a link to most of the bodegas that provide visits.

http://www.turismojerez.com/index.php?id=30&L=1

You can visit bodegas any day of he week, sunday they only offer them in the morning at Tio Pepe, if you want the english or spanish guide, you do not ahve to reserve in advace, just arrive there 15 minutes before (I phone them last week to make sure about it, as we will be doing it next sunday with a VT)friend)

As I will pass by Jerez in the next days, if you ahve any question, you are on time :-))))

Ops, about prices it depends, I know Tio Pepe is 7 euros and prices go from 5-10.

If you goto Jerez I would suggest to try the Horses dancing show, this time I will not be able to make it but I ahve seen it severla times and it is really impressive :-) (I show is around 14 euros) the web site can be found also in the previous link, that is the web site of Jerez town hall.