Sotovelo

Sotovelo is a new arrival in the old world of Jerez. Located in the heart of the historical Balbaina vineyard, co founders Thomas de Wangen and Charles Rolls like to say that the winery is in the vineyard. Having recently restored an old vinyard winery, the grapes are delivered from vineyard to winery almost instantly and pressed right after being harvested.

Sotovelo currently has one wine in the market that goes by the wineries' eponymous name. A white tranquilo —as non fortified wines are called in Jerez— that is carefully crafted following a process traditionally used to create Fino wine. A very light pressing in stainless steel deposits and oak foudres kicks off the winemaking. Followed by eight months under a veil of flor in very old chestnut barrels (100 years plus) that allow the natural development of the veil of flor.

With 22 hectares of palomino vineyards in pure albariza soils —the extremely chalky white soil typical of Jerez— and a current production of about 40.000 bottles, the Sotovelo winery project is just in its infancy. With new ideas and conceptions about winemaking in the region, expect the opening of new paths and new wines from this up and coming winery that is reimagining the future of Jerez by going back to its roots.