Bodegas Sandeman - Jerez de la Frontera - Andalusia

It all began in 1790 when the 25-year-old son of a wealthy Scottish carpenter asked his father for a £300 loan to set up a wine merchant in London.

That ambitious young man was George Sandeman , the founder of Sandeman, who eventually went on to create one of the world's leading sherry and port wine companies.

At a time when "brand names" did not yet exist and wines were shipped in casks rather than bottles, Sandeman literally began "branding" wooden casks with his initials - GSC (George Sandeman & Co.) - writing a used hot iron. to give the wine a seminal "signature" that guarantees its quality and provenance.

The wars in southern Spain interrupted the activities of Sandeman Sherry in the early years. In 1809 they established their own office in Cádiz and later other high-quality producers were chosen, namely Julian Pémartin in 1822.

The long relationship lasted several decades , until they dissolved in 1879 and Sandeman acquired all of Pémartin's assets, including the wonderful portfolio of wines, vineyards, buildings and the historic Cellers Sandeman in Jerez de la Frontera, to support the growing business.

Willem Vandenameele