| Region of production: | Jerez-Xérès-Sherry |
| Winery Location: | Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz) |
| Year Established: | 1790 |
Vineyard Holdings
N/A
Top Wines Produced
- Don Fino
- Rare Fino
Average Total Production
- N/A
Summary
Sandeman, one of the most recognizable wine brands for their iconic Don Sandeman label, is a historic house that has fallen on hard times and is currently fragmented with an uncertain future. While many consider the company synonymous with Port, they produce almost as much Sherry. The house was established by the Scotsman George Sandeman, who set up both a Port and Sherry trade in London before setting up official offices in Porto and Jerez. The house began with small contracts and associations with a couple of prominent bodegas before acquiring their own in 1879 and expanded further with 800 barrel stocks in 1894. George Sandeman himself is considered a pioneer in wine marketing—the brand has been trademarked since 1877 and the iconic label was designed and trademarked in 1928. The house remained under family ownership and direction until 1980 when it was sold to the Sogrape company. Sogrape retains control of the Sandeman’s Port division, but sold all Sherry facilities and stocks to Nueva Rumasa and kept the brand names. Nueva Rumasa went bankrupt and the house is now sourcing wines from other producers, an unfortunate departure from the prominent bodegas Sandeman owned and sourced at its inception.
The house produces three ranges: the Classic range (entry-level wines typically bound for supermarkets), the Premium range, and their Rare Sherries range. The majority of their focus is currently sweet and blended Sherries and their dry wines are not often seen in export markets.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The house style focuses on inexpensive cream and medium Sherries, not as many dry wines are exported. The Don Fino is a richer style of fino aged around 5 years and receives a second fortification to 17% (though only for exported bottles), making it one of only a few fino wines still made in this style. The Rare Fino averages seven years of age, bottled from selected casks within the separate Don Fino solera system once a year. It is minimally filtered and undergoes a second fortification if exported.
Producer Website: Sandeman