The Grupo Estévez proposal
to construct a distillery in the Marco de Jerez is attracting support. The association of independent
growers (Asevi-Asaja) has added its weight to the idea - which is not new - and
the Junta’s agriculture department has even carried out experiments in the
vineyard to determine its viability. The attraction is that it would generate
more wealth in the area, which would stay in the area, and benefit all
concerned in Sherry production.
The European Union has funded investment in Cádiz
(ITI) and some bodegas and many growers would like to see some of it spent on a
distillery. Such a project would not only reduce overproduction but would also
require the planting of more vineyard to supply the distillery with raw
material.
Currently the Marco de Jerez has 6,500 hectares
of vineyard in production after the grubbing-up of more than a third of the
vineyards in recent years to balance supply and demand. Most of the grubbing-up
was financed by EU money in a programme to reduce overproduction of wine in Europe.
Much vineyard was also abandoned as growers couldn’t make a profit. It is felt that the distillery would ensure that everything which goes into a bottle
Sherry should come from Jerez and that it would provide jobs in an area
particularly badly hit by unemployment.
Grupo Estévez is happy to help and feel that
the cooperatives would be in the best position to operate the distillery. José
Ramón Estévez, president of the group, feels that beyond just producing
fortification alcohol, the distillery could go on to produce brandy as well,
and that would mean more vineyard and thus more jobs. Estévez are already
fortifying with spirit produced from Jerez grapes (though currently distilled
in Tomelloso) and would very much like to see a local distillery produce the
spirit for 100% Jerez Sherry which would bring with it the possibility of the
higher DO level of Denominación de Origen Calificada.
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