Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla

The Andrada-Vanderwilde family founded Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla in 1837, though their involvement in Jerez viticulture predates the bodega by nearly two centuries, supplying grapes and wine to the sherry trade. In 1972, Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde took control of old sherry cellars and renamed the operation from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla. The name itself pays tribute to King Ferdinand III 'El Santo,' the medieval ruler who recognized the exceptional quality of Jerez's soils and climate for growing wine.

• Family history in Jerez viticulture spans approximately two centuries before formal founding
• Renamed from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla in 1972 under Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde
• Jan Pettersen purchased the bodega in 1999 and acquired neighboring cellars from José Bustamante
• Founding member of the Brandy of Jerez Regulatory Council

The bodega sits in Jerez de la Frontera's Santiago neighborhood and sources fruit from vineyards farmed on albariza soils, the iconic white limestone marl rich in calcium carbonate that defines the finest sherry terroir. Jerez's climate delivers hot, dry summers with temperatures reaching up to 40°C and around 300 days of sunshine annually. Rainfall of approximately 600mm falls mostly between October and May, providing natural irrigation during the dormant season. Farming is conducted without pesticides or herbicides, and a close partnership with a local grape grower ensures consistent, high-quality fruit supply.

• Albariza soils: white limestone marl with high calcium carbonate content
• Summers reach up to 40°C with approximately 300 days of sunshine per year
• Annual rainfall of approximately 600mm, concentrated October through May
• Grapes grown include Palomino, Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel, and Airén

Fernando de Castilla's approach centers on minimal intervention. The bodega does not fine, clarify, cold stabilize, or aggressively filter any of its wines. All sherries are estate bottled as single solera expressions without blending from outside sources. This commitment to transparency in winemaking preserves the natural character and complexity developed through extended solera aging. The philosophy represents a deliberate return to ancient sherry-making traditions, presenting the wine as close to its natural state as possible.

• No fining, clarification, cold stabilization, or aggressive filtration applied
• All wines bottled as single solera expressions without blending
• Estate bottled exclusively from the bodega's own production
• Techniques reflect ancient Jerez winemaking traditions

The bodega produces two distinct ranges across a spectrum of sherry styles including Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Pedro Ximénez, and Cream, as well as Brandy de Jerez and Sherry Vinegar. The Classic range covers wines aged between 2 and 9 years, offering an accessible introduction to the house style. The premium Antique range showcases extended aging of up to 30 years, representing the fullest expression of Fernando de Castilla's commitment to quality and complexity. International recognition for the house has grown steadily under Pettersen's stewardship.

• Classic range: aged 2-9 years across multiple sherry styles
• Antique range: premium tier aged up to 30 years
• Portfolio includes Fino, Oloroso, Amontillado, Pedro Ximénez, and Cream sherries
• Also produces Brandy de Jerez and Sherry Vinegar