29.8.13 Wine, Food and Flamenco at Harvest Festival

The Consejo, six bodegas and the leading Jerez catering firm Alta Cazuela are participating in the Grand tastings for the harvest Festival which begin on the 4^th September. The events will take place in the the Alcazar’s Patio San Fernando, an open space where one can combine history, wine, gastronomy and flamenco.

(Imagen+Jerez)

These tastings have become a major attraction which could be repeated throughout the year. There will be eight of them, from the 4^th – 7^th and from 11^th – 14^th and two menus will be offered along with an ample range of Sherries. The tastings, which start at 8.30, will be led by experts from each of the participating bodegas, who will explain their production and how they marry with the food. Tickets are already on sale at 25 euros, and can be obtained from Bar Juanito, the Alcazar, Pescaderia Vieja and the hotel Villa Jerez.

9.11.12 Palacio Domecq is sold

Juan Rodriguez, a Jerezano with interests in bars and catering in Jerez is to buy the historic old seat of the Domecqs from Beam for 4 million euros. The deal was signed yesterday after 6 months of negotiations.  Sr. Rodriguez is involved with Alta Cazuela, a catering firm (which provided the food at the Alcazar recently for the Grand Tastings for the Fiesta de la Vendimia), and the famous traditional Bar Juanito. He sees great possibilities in the building for hotel and up market catering, creating another top quality venue in Jerez.

What held up negotiations for so long – six months – was the question of what was to be done with the contents of the palace; numerous works of art including paintings, tapestries, photographs, and all the trappings of the Domecqs’ position in Jerez for 300 years.

The fact that the palace is a listed building (a Bien de Interes Cultural) and is so centrally situated (in the Alameda Cristina) appealed to Sr. Rodriguez, and keeping it open to the public features in his plans. The building dates from the XVII C, was renovated in the 1970s and is in excellent condition. It is listed for domestic use which restricts but doesn’t impede its use for weddings for example.

Interior Patio of the Palacio Domecq