Pinacoteca Rivero

Pinacoteca Rivero is a private collection of Spanish painting hidden inside the cellars of Bodegas Tradición, a sherry winery in Jerez de la Frontera. Visiting it means combining a wine tour with a look at artwork that would not be out of place in a major national gallery.

What will you see at the Pinacoteca Rivero?

Hanging among the ageing sherry barrels are more than 300 paintings from the private collection assembled by Joaquín Rivero, covering Spanish painting from the 15th to the 19th century. The collection includes works by some of the biggest names in Spanish art history, among them Zurbarán, El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Valdés Leal and Carlos de Haes. It is regarded as one of the most important private art collections in Andalusia, and one of the most notable in Spain as a whole — a genuinely unusual pairing of fine art and centuries-old winemaking tradition.

How do you visit the collection?

The paintings are not displayed as a stand-alone museum with walk-in access — they form part of a guided tour of Bodegas Tradición, so a visit needs to be booked ahead of time. Depending on the chosen tour, a visit combining the winery, a sherry tasting and the picture gallery lasts between 90 and 120 minutes. Because spaces are limited and demand is high, it is worth reserving well in advance by phone or email with the winery.

Where is it and how do you get there?

Bodegas Tradición, home to the pinacoteca, sits at Plaza Cordobeses 3 in the historic centre of Jerez de la Frontera, close to the Riquelme Palace, the Archaeological Museum of Jerez, the Plaza del Mercado and the Church of San Mateo. The old town is compact and easily walkable, so the winery fits naturally into a stroll through Jerez's historic core rather than requiring a separate trip.

When should you go?

The winery is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Sundays only from 10:00 to 12:00. Tours run at set times, so check availability when booking and allow enough time in your schedule — between the cellar tour, the tasting and the picture gallery, a full visit can take close to two hours.

Why is it worth visiting?

Pinacoteca Rivero brings together the two things Jerez is best known for: sherry-making tradition and top-tier Spanish art. It is rare to see original canvases by old masters displayed in a working wine cellar rather than behind glass in a crowded museum hall. It suits travellers who want to see something beyond a standard sherry tasting in Jerez but don't have time for a separate art museum visit.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to book in advance? Yes. Seeing the collection is part of the paid Bodegas Tradición tour, and tour slots are limited, so advance booking is essentially required, especially in high season.

How long does a visit take? Depending on the tour chosen, a visit with a sherry tasting and the picture gallery takes between 90 and 120 minutes.

Which artists are represented in the collection? The collection includes works by Zurbarán, El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Valdés Leal and Carlos de Haes, among others, spanning Spanish painting from the 15th to the 19th century.

Is the Pinacoteca a separate museum? No — it's a private collection displayed inside a working winery, Bodegas Tradición, and is visited together with the winery rather than as an independent museum.