Cesar Florido Cruz del Mar Oloroso Sherry

The César Florido bodega was founded in 1887 and is currently maintained by César Florido, a fifth-generation descendant of the founder. The winery is the oldest bodega in Chipiona, located five miles from Sanlúcar de Barrameda along the road that continues to Rota. César Florido is one of only two bodegas in Chipiona that are still operating outside of the cooperative. Although technically Chipiona lies outside the Zona de Crianza for the D.O., he makes some of the most singular wines in the area, sought out by true believers in César.

Vinification – Cruz del Mar Oloroso is produced exclusively with palomino grapes grown by César’s family in the Balbaína and Miraflores pagos (vineyards). After harvesting, the grapes are crushed and undergo alcoholic fermentation in traditional cement vats, which naturally regulate the temperature. Fuller-bodied musts are chosen for Oloroso, and after being fortified to 18% ABV., the wine is aged oxidatively in old barrels in a bodega in the heart of Chipiona. Cruz del Mar Oloroso spends an average of 12 years in the solera process before being bottled en rama, without fining or filtration.