With 260 hectares, this winery group is the main owner of this mythical vineyard.
José Estévez, S.A. has just finished the harvest in their vineyards in Macharnudo. They own 260 hectares in one of the legendary vineyards in the Marco de Jerez, where history and tradition – it is documented that vines were already cultivated in this area in the 13th century – come together with unique characteristics such as soil and orientation, giving the wines produced from the vineyards in this northwest area of Jerez a distinct personality. All these factors have contributed to the fame of Macharnudo, which in the 19th century was already a classic in Jerez’s viticulture, and a significant cornerstone in Estévez’s strategic commitment to the land and origin as the main hallmark of their wines.
These 260 hectares make the José Estévez Winery Group the main owner of Macharnudo in terms of the total surface area of the vineyard, which amounts to approximately 600 hectares. Estévez’s growth in this vineyard has been exponential over the last twenty years. In 1999, with the acquisition of Bodegas Valdespino, the group gained its first 36 hectares of vineyard located in Macharnudo. Shortly afterward, they purchased Viña Hortelana, a 20-hectare estate near Valdespino’s vineyard. Estévez remained stable in terms of ownership with these 56 hectares for years until 2012, when an event that would shape the future ownership of this vineyard took place: Estévez’s purchase of 205 hectares in Macharnudo, becoming the main owner of Macharnudo. The operation was set in motion when Beam Global, the previous company that owned assets from the historic Domecq, decided to sell a significant portion of its vineyard as part of a divestment plan in the Marco de Jerez. Beam Global had approximately 400 hectares of vineyard in Macharnudo, and after months of negotiations, an agreement was reached for Estévez to acquire half of that vineyard. It was a complex operation, involving different fronts since Estévez, in addition to the 205 hectares in Macharnudo, also acquired another 200 hectares near Cuartillos, Viña Bristol. In the transaction, Beam Global retained half of its vineyard in Macharnudo and the ownership of Cortijo El Majuelo, now known as Castillo de Macharnudo.
As a result of those dual acquisitions, José Estévez became not only the largest vineyard owner in Macharnudo but in the entire Marco de Jerez, with approximately 800 hectares of owned vineyards. Additionally, they have an agreement with the Cooperative Vitivinícola Sanluqueña (Covisan), which links the production of their partner’s vineyards to the supply of one of their leading brands, “Manzanilla La Guita.”
With the production from their vineyards in Macharnudo, José Estévez continues to supply their brands originating from Valdespino, such as the fino “Inocente,” the amontillado “Tío Diego,” “Palo Cortado Viejo CP,” and “Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS.” More recently, these vineyards also contribute to one of the group’s latest releases, “Ojo de Gallo,” a new white wine closely linked to the albariza soil and “Tío Mateo,” a historic Jerez fino that also draws from another vineyard owned by the winery group, Corchuelo.
But let’s delve a little deeper into Macharnudo. History, tradition, and classicism are three essential references when talking about this legendary vineyard. However, as mentioned before, its location, orientation, and edaphic conditions must also be considered. It is one of the highest vineyards in the Marco de Jerez, sitting at an elevation of 135 meters above sea level, making it the highest among the classic vineyards of the Denomination of Origin Jerez-Xérès-Sherry. Its orientation, facing the sea, allows it to fully benefit from the westerly winds that blow over these vineyards planted on 100% albariza soil, perfect for cultivating grapes under optimal conditions. All of this contributes to the wines’ full balance, minerality, and power, showcasing their distinct personality and fully justifying the “classic” adjective in the world of viticulture.