Tip: In Jerez, ask at any tabanco for the special en rama or single-cask pours that bodegas reserve for Sherry Day.
More wine festivals in Jerez & Sherry
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.
The Festival de Jerez is an international flamenco festival held annually in late February and early March. Sherry is the cultural companion at every performance: manzanilla and fino are served in the penas flamencas and tablaos hosting events. The festival draws flamenco scholars and performers from across Europe and Latin America for a fortnight of dance and cante programming.
Tip: Book tickets months in advance; combine an afternoon bodega visit with an evening tablao show for the full Jerez experience.
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.
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.
Tip: The Barbadillo bodega on Calle Sevilla runs open-cellar tastings during vendimia week; no reservation required.
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Taste your way around Jerez & Sherry while you are in town
International Sherry Day runs in November. These are the wine tours and tastings in Jerez & Sherry to book for the days around it; most cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.
Guided tour3.5 hours4.0 from 3 reviewsfrom €40
Upgrade your experience by combining a historic center city tour with a visit to one of the most famous wineries in Jerez. Taste three excellent wines at the winery.
5.0 from 1 reviewfrom €95
PAIRING MENU TO SAVOR THE BEST PRODUCTS OF THE LAND AND OUR EXCLUSIVE SHERRY WINES
Guided tour1h 15m4.6 from 49 reviewsfrom €25
A guided tour of an 1850's winery, the tour includes an audio-visual, history of sherry wine and winemaking. Also wine tasting an exhibition with historical labels
See all 295 bookable experiences in Jerez & Sherry