Winery of the Week: Bodegas Páez Morilla
Where Legacy Meets Innovation
Welcome to Bodegas Páez Morilla – a historic family-run winery in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where tradition, innovation, and deep Andalusian roots blend to create distinctive wines and world-renowned sherry vinegars.
The story of Bodegas Páez Morilla began in 1910, when Francisco Páez Sánchez created a small sherry vinegar solera in his wine club, Los Palitos. His son, Antonio Páez Lobato, transformed that passion into a business, officially founding the winery in 1945 and pioneering the commercialization of sherry vinegar.
As the first winery to bottle and sell sherry vinegar, Páez Morilla redefined winemaking in Jerez. The family expanded their soleras with barrels from legendary bodegas like Williams & Humbert, Sandeman, and González Byass including a prized 1936 barrel from Alejandro Romero Osborne.Innovation didn’t stop there. In 1977, they launched Viña Lucía, the first bottled crianza red wine from Cádiz, followed by the versatile Tierra Blanca white wine. Today, their creativity continues with Doña Pepa, a line of balsamic glazes and culinary wines.
What to Expect at Bodegas Páez Morilla: A visit here is more than just a tasting – it’s a journey through Jerez’s soul. Choose from several immersive experiences:
Museum Tour and Tierra Blanca Tasting: Explore the Santa Lucía wine cellar, watch a short film about the family, and view vintage labels and photos. Enjoy a tasting of Tierra Blanca seco and semidulce; Full Winery Experience: Go deeper with a tour of the vinegar and production cellars, where barrels are prepped for aging sherry and spirits. Includes everything from the museum tour, plus a closer look at the craft; Vinegar Tasting Experience: Vinegar lovers can enjoy a guided tasting of four signature styles: Solera, Reserva, Moscatel, and Pedro Ximénez, each rich with flavor and history.
Whether you’re drawn by the allure of Andalusian wines or the depth of aged vinegars, Bodegas Páez Morilla offers a taste of Spanish history in every drop. It’s a place where the past is honored, the future is embraced, and visitors leave with a deeper appreciation of Jerez’s vinicultural richness.
