The 9th oldest company in Spain and the 3rd oldest sherry bodega, Bodegas Hidalgo was founded back in 1792. It still remains family owned, and is now run by the 8th generation. They have a full-time cooper repairing their casks, some of which are more than 150 years old.

There are two markers of quality for a sherry. The first is the vineyards themselves. Bodegas Hidalgo own 100% of their vineyards, which is very rare for the region, and means complete control of quality. These vineyards lie on the best albariza soils of the area - chalky marine sedimentary soils, 50-80% limestone.

The other quality marker is the location of the bodega itself. Hidalgo is located in the Barrio Bajo of Sanlucar, only 300m away from the sea and the mouth of the River Guadalquivir. That means a high level of humidity (higher than Jerez) which is great for the flor and means finer sherries. (NT 26/04/18)