Bodegas Lustau

Bodegas Lustau was founded in 1896 by José Ruiz-Berdejo, who operated as an almacenista (warehouse keeper) on his family estate, Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza. In 1931, his daughter María Ruiz-Berdejo Alberti relocated production to Jerez de la Frontera. The house took on its defining identity in 1945, when son-in-law Emilio Lustau Ortega began marketing the bodega's own brands. In 1990, the Luis Caballero Group acquired Lustau, and in 2000 the house purchased six 19th-century bodega buildings in central Jerez, now totaling 20,000 square meters of cathedral-style production space.

• Founded 1896 by José Ruiz-Berdejo as an almacenista operation
• Moved to Jerez de la Frontera in 1931 under María Ruiz-Berdejo Alberti
• Emilio Lustau Ortega launched own commercial brands in 1945
• Acquired by Luis Caballero Group in 1990

Lustau holds a unique distinction in the world of sherry: it is the only producer with active operations in all three towns of the Sherry Triangle. Bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda each contribute different styles and conditions to the portfolio. Sanlúcar, with its maritime influence, is essential for Manzanilla production, while the other two towns shape the broader range of biologically and oxidatively aged styles.

• Only sherry producer present in all three Sherry Triangle towns simultaneously
• Each town contributes distinct aging conditions and wine styles
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda operations support Manzanilla production
• Central Jerez bodegas span 20,000 square meters of 19th-century architecture

Lustau works with the three authorized grape varieties of the Jerez-Xeres-Sherry DO: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel. Palomino is the dominant variety used for the full spectrum of dry and fortified styles. The vineyards sit across three soil types: Albariza, the prized white limestone that retains moisture through dry summers; Arena, the sandy soils; and clay-based soils. The region receives approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and around 600 mm of rainfall per year, creating the semi-arid conditions that define Jerez viticulture.

• Grapes: Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel
• Albariza (white limestone) is the most prized soil type for moisture retention
• 3,000 hours of sunshine and approximately 600 mm of rainfall annually
• Climate supports the development of flor yeast critical to biologically aged styles

Lustau's Almacenista range is one of the most celebrated aspects of the house, sourcing sherries from small independent warehouse keepers and bottling them under their individual names. This preserves a tradition that might otherwise be lost to bulk blending. Lustau is also the only producer of East India Solera style sherry, a unique expression developed in-house. Since 1989, the bodega has pioneered sweet vintage sherries made from Palomino, known as Añadas, adding a rare aged category to an already extensive portfolio of over 40 distinct sherries.

• Almacenista range sources from small independent producers across the Sherry Triangle
• Sole producer of East India Solera style sherry
• Añadas vintage sherries from Palomino pioneered since 1989
• Portfolio includes four brandies, two vermouths, and two sherry vinegars

Lustau's consistency and quality have earned repeated recognition at the highest international level. The International Wine and Spirit Competition awarded the house Best Spanish Winery in 2011 and Best Sherry Producer in both 2014 and 2016. The International Wine Challenge awarded the prestigious Len Evans Trophy for consistency twice, in 2011 and 2016. These awards span multiple decades and independent judging bodies, confirming Lustau's standing as a world-class benchmark for fortified wines.

• Best Spanish Winery, International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2011
• Best Sherry Producer, International Wine and Spirit Competition, 2014 and 2016
• Len Evans Trophy for consistency, International Wine Challenge, 2011 and 2016
• Recognized as a world-class benchmark for top-quality fortified wine production