El Maestro Sierra Fino Sherry 750ml

El Maestro Sierra only began bottling in the last 20 years, but its history dates back to 1832. It was founded by José Antonio Sierra, a master carpenter responsible for building barrels for all the major sherry houses. Recognised as one of the top coopers of his time, in 1832 he set about building a small winery with the aim of making the best sherries possible. The industry at the time was dominated by nobility and an upstart tradie like José was quite unwelcome. Despite his hostile neighbours, José established himself as one of the top stockholders (almacenistas) of high quality Jerez sherry.

The previous owner of El Maestro Sierra was Doña Pilar Pla Pechovierto, whose husband was a direct descendent of the Sierra family. Pilar respected her husband’s wishes when he passed away that the label remain in operation and over the past 30 years, she has ensured it thrived. Pilar recently passed away at the age of 99, leaving their daughter Dr Carmen Borrego Pla in charge of one of the few bodegas owned and run by women.

Pilar initially sold wine to a number of other bodegas; she began bottling under the El Maestro Sierra label in 1992. The stocks at winery now are some of the oldest in Jerez, with soleras between 60 and 100 years of age. These biologically aged wines are strongly marked by rich notes of flor. The bodega’s unique location on a high plateau in the centre of town exposes it to the sea breezes from El Puerto, creating an ideal environment for flor to thrive.