Harveys

HISTORY

The company John Harvey & Sons was founded in an old house in Bristol in 1796 by William Perry. The city of Bristol, at the end of the 18th century, was of great importance for the glass industry, in fact, the winery would inspire its first bottle with the characteristic Bristol blue glass.
William Perry became one of the most important exporters of Sherry between the Bay of Cadiz and the port of Bristol, where John Harvey, in 1871, re-founded the company, but specialising in the exclusive production of Sherry wine.

His first brand, Harveys Bristol Cream, is the best known sherry in the world. This wine was born from a new version of their old Bristol Milk. For the tasting of this new version they received a visit from an aristocrat, where after tasting it she added: "If that's the Milk, then this is the Cream", and in honour of her witticism, it was called Bristol Cream, a category that was born with Harveys.

VINEYARD AND WINERY

The vineyards of the Harveys winery are located in the 15th century Pago de Macharnudo, one of the most important vineyards in Jerez. With an extension of 250 hectares, the Majuelo estate is located on the estate, where sherry wines are produced under unique conditions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WINES AND AGEING

The hallmark of the wines of the Harvey winery is the different characteristics of the type of grapes, environmental factors and the careful ageing process.

The grapes are of the genuine grape variety found in the Jerez area. They give all the colour, smell and taste so characteristic in the variety of wines.

The different environmental changes between sun and rain, high temperatures in summer and cold temperatures in winter, the west and east winds that occur in this area, make for a unique ageing situation.

The ageing of Harvys wines is carried out using the traditional method of the Criaderas and Soleras system, in American oak casks. The air that the cellars breathe is essential in the elaboration of the wines, as it can intervene in the ageing process, being of oxidative or biological ageing, known as velo de flor.

The butts are never emptied. They are filled with wine from other criaderas until they reach the Solera, where the most authentic and unique Jerez wine is extracted.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Harveys is the only Spanish product to hold the official seal of The Royal Warrant as a supplier to the British Royal Household. Awarded in 1895, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Since then and to the present day, it has been enjoyed by successive monarchs.

The wines of the Harveys winery have been the most awarded sherry wines of all. In 2019 it received the award for best fortified winery in the world by the International Wine & Spirits Competition. Its entire range of wines has received the highest awards by the International Wine & Spirits Competition over the years.