Bodegas Tio Pepe

The first stop will be the Bodega, a marvellous example of the most advanced Bodega architecture of the 19th century.
Built in 1869 according to the plans of the famed G.A. Eiffel.

This is the main street of the Gonzalez Byass Bodegas. In the distance you can see the dome of the Baroque Cathedral and the Arab towers of the Alcázar of Jerez, surrounded by Jacaranda and Onbue tress.
Upon reaching La Concha, by G. Eiffel, we leave the train and carry on by foot.

A souvenir of the soil, our vineyards and the men working and
harvesting the fruit, Carriages, grape presses and vines in an unforgettable location.

This building is in the shape of a perfect square with an area of 4,400 square metres. Here is where one of the principal brands of the firm is aged: Original Croft.

The immense cask, called "El Cristo" presides over a row of large casks containing the exquisite "Apostoles".
This bodega is often used for special events and functions throughout the year due to its great beauty.

We will soon take a small train which will take us through the Brandy Route. In the Romantic Garden we will see the beautiful lemon trees and a curious and unique Orange-Lemon hybrid.

In the San Manuel Bodega, we breathe in the first and rich aromas of young Brandy. The long rows of oak casks of the Soberano Brandy evoke the hint of spices, mature fruit and great age.

Two old swan-neck "Cabeza de Moro" stills and a "Lenteja" still were used to distill the wine for many years and today adorn the Bodega where time appears to have stood still.

This singular area of the bodega is where the most representative sweet wine of the firm is aged. This leads directly to the old tasting room.

These very old "sample" bottles from the very first shipments sent to Great Britain are preserved here just as they were left on the death of the founder. This is a unique collection of relics from this period which can only be seen at Gonzalez Byass.

Here we see one of the most historic wines (Matusalem, Noé) and the signatures of the Kings and Queens of Spain who have visited, from Isabel II to Juan Carlos I. There is also a collection of famous personalities who have left a record of their visit since 1867. In the background we can see the faint light of the Parra Vieja patio.

This entire bodega is dedicated to the aging of Tio Pepe. "La Constancia" was the motto of the founder and it was the first bodega to be constructed in 1855. We can see the huge rows of casks where hundreds of celebrities have left their signatures or other messages. Look for your favourite personalities, we´ re sure you´ll find some!

No doubt you will wish to have some souvenir of your visit to the Bodegas. A bottle of Tio Pepe or Lepanto is a perfect gift for friends or family. Here you find a wide range of articles to meet all tastes and budgets. Consult our On-line Shop.

This street full of Geraniums, always as red as the jacket of Tio Pepe and always in bloom is one of the most beautiful streets in Jerez. We can also see a Melia or Rosario Tree providing even more beauty and ornamentation.

While we wait to begin the tour we can admire some of the illustrious personalities who have paid a visit to the Bodega throughout its history.

Before arriving at the Brandy Bodedas we enter into the heart of the vineyard. The Palomino grapes hanging in their orderly manner are the product of the white Albariza soil, the intense light of the South and the abundant rain of the Jerez autumn.

Behind this romantic grillwork and between the two oldest bodegas of the firm there is the Andalusian patio full of geraniums, jasmine, orange blossoms, mint and basil. In the background is the Torre del Homenaje of the Alcazar of Jerez reminding us of the richness of Andalusian history.

The vines which cover these streets of Jerez, are over 50 years old. From March to December a walk through these fresh streets is a true visual spectacle. The sea of green leaves in summer becomes an ochre carpet with arrival of the autumn rains.

The bunches of grapes give shade and freshness to this paved and porticoed patio containing a small cistern. This is where the Lepanto brandy is aged.

The handcrafted creation of their casks or barrels or "Botas" as they are commonly known, is a tradition which has remained unchanged since Roman times. Here we can see how the oak casks, used to age the wine and brandy of Jerez, are repaired by hand.

The entrance cloister, the dome, the choir and even the stained glass all give this building the image of a Cathedral where the Lepanto Brandy is aged. We can discover the secrets of distilling within this exceptional location.

This street conserves its original paving and is probably the most beautiful of all the streets of the Tio Pepe Bodega. In the background we can see the facade of the Jerez Cathedral.

Each of the four concrete domes of the Gran Bodega of Tio Pepe has a diameter of 43 metres. This building is a monument protected by the DOCOMOMO.

Constructed by Eduardo Torroja in 1963, this is considered one of the most important projects in modern times. Its enormous weather vane and four giant domes, with a diameter of 42 metres each, are simply spectacular. The three floors are dedicated to the aging of Tio Pepe.