Bodegas: Osborne

Thomas Osborne Mann, a young English aristocrat, 8th Earl of Yalbourne in fact, from Exeter, Devon, arrived in Cadiz in 1772. He soon became associated with Lonergan & White, an established business dealing in wine and became friendly with Sir James Duff, a Scot who was the British Consul, and his nephew William Gordon, who were also involved with wine in El Puerto de Santa Maria. When Osborne began shipping Sherry on his own account, they allowed him to store it at their bodega, and a close business relationship began, with Osborne moving to El Puerto. Sir James died in 1815 and Sir William in 1823, whereupon Osborne became more closely involved in Duff Gordon and was made a partner by Cosmo Duff Gordon. In 1825 he married Aurora Bohl de Faber, daughter of Juan Nicolas Bohl de Faber, manager of the Duff Gordon Bodegas. They had five children by the marriage.

In 1854 Thomas Osborne died and his three sons, Tomas, Juan and Nicolas inherited the business, which was run on their behalf by their uncle Francisco Morgan until Tomas came of age, and duly became a partner in the business. It must have been thriving, for he paid for the construction of the town’s bull ring. Juan Nicolas went into the Diplomatic Service in various European capital cities, earning the title Conde de Osborne from Pope Pius IX in 1869. Indeed the firm received a warrant to supply the Vatican. On the death of Sir Cosmo in 1872, the Osbornes bought out the Duff Gordon interests. Tomas was succeeded by his son Tomas Osborne Guezala, who inherited the title from his uncle Juan Nicolas who died without issue, and ran the firm till his death in 1935.

Between 1935 and 1972 the company was run by Ignacio Osborne Vazquez, and during his stewardship the company expanded greatly due largely to the consolidation of its brands of brandy in the Spanish market, principally Veterano, whose legendary bulls have been seen on most Spanish hilltops since 1957, and whose 1960s marketing campaign is still remembered (Veterano tiene ESO). In 1952 the firm acquired the Sherry interests of Morgan Brothers. From 1972 to 1980 the firm was run by Ignacio’s brother Antonio, who was succeeded by his nephew Enrique Osborne MacPherson. He was in turn succeeded in 1988 by Tomas Osborne Vazquez, IV Conde de Osborne, and since 1996 his son Tomas Osborne Bamero-Civico and nephew Ignacio Osborne Cologan, have run the firm.

Nowadays Osborne is a huge company.  It owns nearly 400 hectares of (Sherry) vineyard, much in the Balbaina district of Jerez Superior, and fairly recently acquired the old Domecq VORS soleras as well as those of Bobadilla. It is Spain’s largest brandy distiller-in fact distiller. It makes Rives Gin, Ponche, various liqueurs such as Anis del Mono and what’s more they own many other companies, Rioja Montecillo, Bodegas Solaz in Malpica de Tajo (Castilla), Osborne Port, Cinco Jotas (some of Spain’s finest Iberico meat from Jabugo), various up-market restaurants and their own distribution company. Osborne is more of an empire than a company.

Main Sherry Brands:

The standard range is: Fino Quinta, Fino-Amontillado Coquinero, Olorosos Bailen and 10RF, Santa Maria Cream, PX 1827

Then the old solera wines: Amontillado Solera AOS (@25years old), Oloroso Solera BC200 (established 1864 and sold at (@40y.o.), Oloroso Solera India (@25y.o.), Palo Cortado Solera PΔP (well over 30 years old)

Domecq old VORS soleras: Sibarita Oloroso, Amontillado 51-1a, Capuchino Palo Cortado (originally Agustin Blazquez), Venerable PX

Visits ? Yes, you can visit the brandy plant, Jabugo, Sherry in El Puerto and the winery in Malpica.

Address:  Calle Los Moros s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz

Telephone: (+34) 956 869 100

Website: www.osborne.es         visitas.bodegas@osborne.es