Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana is located 30 km east of Jerez in the Spanish seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda housed in a set of cathedral-like buildings built originally on the oceanfront.  The Atlantic started receding in the 1800s and now it’s a walk of several blocks to the beach (left).

This is a bodega that is still family owned (6th generation) with its own organically farmed vineyards (about 170 ha).  It also maintains many of the traditional sherry-making methods and unlike other bodegas, sells very old and rare sherries at its on premise store.

We had a private tour with Victor, whom we tried (unsuccessfully) to entice to practice his flamenco singing. 

The specialty from Sanlúcar de Barrameda is Manzanilla – essentially Fino that has aged on the salty coast – and Hidalgo La Gitana is famous for this classic.  We tasted the 4-5 yo Manzanilla bottled En Rama (unfiltered) with its delicate sea breeze, green olive and salt profile, an Amontillado VORS Napoleon (42-45 yo) along with others.

But the Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana was unique.  Made from Palomino Fino grapes from a single vineyard – the Miraflores, located halfway between Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Jerez.  This sherry is an average of 11-12 yo and exudes dried flowers and grass, pine nuts, soft salt, seaside, olive and herbs.

We enjoyed some later at a local restaurant with the traditional pairings – dried red tuna, octopus and langoustines, and took a bottle of the La Gitana En Rama up to the rooftop of our hotel to enjoy with new friends.

Good times all around.

WSET Very Good Plus
You can buy Hidalgo La Gitana products all over the world (including BC).