Gran Bodega Tío Pepe

Gran Bodega Tío Pepe is one of the best-known sherry wineries in Jerez de la Frontera, right at the heart of Andalusia's sherry region. This is the home of Tío Pepe, the flagship brand of the González Byass wine house.

Where is the winery and what makes it special?

The bodega sits close to Jerez's historic old town, a cluster of whitewashed buildings, wrought-iron gates and shaded lanes typical of the region's traditional sherry cellars, where wine has aged for generations in oak barrels.

Why are González Byass and Tío Pepe so famous?

The company was founded in 1835 and grew into one of the largest sherry producers in the world. The Tío Pepe brand owes much of its fame to its instantly recognizable logo — a sombrero and guitar — displayed as a giant rooftop sign over Jerez, said to be one of the largest advertising structures of its kind anywhere.

What can visitors see on the tour?

The estate is large enough that part of the visit is done aboard a small tourist train rather than on foot. Along the way, guests pass a vine-shaded lane considered one of the prettiest streets in the city, and the tour typically covers stages dedicated to brandy production, barrel-making, distilling and the sherry-making process itself.

What is the story behind the Jerez sherry mice?

One of the most memorable stops relates to the legend of the "sherry-drinking mice." Visitors used to watch trained mice climb a tiny ladder to sip sherry from a glass. The live show is gone today, but the tradition lives on as a display — a photograph, a glass and a small ladder — and guides still love telling the story.

What else is worth seeing in the cellars?

One of the cellars holds barrels signed by well-known visitors from Spain and abroad over the decades. The tour usually wraps up with a sherry tasting and a stop at the winery shop, where bottles can be bought directly from the producer.

How long does the visit take and in which languages is it offered?

A standard visit lasts around 90 minutes. Several guided tours run each day, generally offered in multiple languages, so it is worth checking the schedule and booking online in advance, especially during peak tourist season.

Frequently asked questions

Is the tour worth it if I am not particularly into wine? Yes — the visit doubles as a walk through the history of Jerez and the sherry trade, and features like the vineyard train, the mice legend and the giant Tío Pepe weathervane appeal well beyond sherry enthusiasts.

Do I need to book tickets in advance? Booking online ahead of time is recommended, since spots on each tour are limited and the bodega gets busy during high season.

Does the visit include a tasting? Yes, the standard tour ends with a sherry tasting, followed by the chance to browse the winery shop for the full González Byass range.

Where does the name Tío Pepe come from? The brand is named after an uncle ("tío" in Spanish) of one of the company's founders, and its recognizable emblem — a man in a sombrero holding a guitar — has been part of the Jerez skyline for decades.