Held on the wet sand of the Calzada beach at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river since 1845, the Sanlucar beach horse races are among Europe's oldest and most atmospheric horse-racing events. Spectators line the beach drinking chilled Manzanilla from tabancos and bodega stalls while thoroughbreds race at the tide's edge. August in Sanlucar without Manzanilla is unthinkable.
Tip: The late-afternoon races (from 19:30) have the best light for photography and the coolest temperatures; arrive two hours early to claim a beach position.
The Sanlucar vendimia grape-treading festival, held separately from the Jerez ceremony, takes place in the historic Barrio Alto quarter of Sanlucar. Traditional grape treading in stone llagares is accompanied by Manzanilla, flamenco and a procession through the whitewashed streets. Smaller and more intimate than the Jerez event.
Tip: The Barbadillo bodega on Calle Sevilla runs open-cellar tastings during vendimia week; no reservation required.
The Copa Jerez is the world's premier sherry and food pairing competition, bringing together teams of sommeliers and chefs from countries including Spain, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and Japan. Each team presents a four-course menu paired entirely with different sherry styles. The event has driven a significant shift in fine-dining perception of sherry as a serious food wine.
Tip: Watch for the competition results as a reliable guide to the most creative new sherry-pairing restaurants opening in Europe each year.
International Sherry Day, held on the third Friday of November, coordinates sherry tastings, bar promotions and educational events across the globe. In Jerez itself the bodegas open their cellar doors to the public and the tabancos offer special pours and tastings. The event has grown year on year since its inauguration and is now recognized across major wine markets including the UK, Germany, the United States and the Netherlands.
Tip: In Jerez, ask at any tabanco for the special en rama or single-cask pours that bodegas reserve for Sherry Day.
El Puerto de Santa Maria holds its own harvest festival each September as a complement to the Jerez Vendimia. The Osborne bodega complex opens its historic cellars for harvest tastings and the town's sherry bars and restaurants offer special harvest menus pairing fino, oloroso and palo cortado with Atlantic seafood from the Bay of Cadiz.
Tip: Book a harbour-side table for grilled coquinas (tiny clams) with a glass of chilled Fino Quinta from Osborne.
The traditional opening ceremony of the Jerez harvest, held on the steps of the Collegiate Church of San Salvador. The first grapes of the season are trodden by foot, the must is blessed by the Archbishop, and the venencia is ceremonially filled with new wine. Public event drawing wine pilgrims from across the world.
Tip: Arrive early for the grape-treading ceremony on the church steps; the public tasting area opens after noon.
The Jerez Horse Fair, held annually each May, is the most socially significant sherry-drinking event in the Sherry Triangle calendar. Thousands of horse-drawn carriages parade in elaborate dress while attendees drink chilled fino and manzanilla in decorated caseta pavilions. The event is the year's highest fino-consumption week for Jerez's bodegas.
Tip: The midday paseo (parade) from noon to 2pm is the peak display; grab a seat at a caseta veranda with a cold Tio Pepe.