Jerez, the vibrant Andalucian city and stop one on the famed Sherry Triangle, is proud home to the oldest winery in the region. Bodegas Fundador, operating today through its Harveys label, has spent more than two centuries perfecting sherry, a veritable art form that involves fortified wine, neutral grape spirit, aged oak barrels and the timeless and infinitely romantic solera system.
The philosophy at Bodegas Fundador (pronounced foon-dah-DOR) is rooted in patience – and lots of it. The flor de velo, a delicate film of yeast that forms naturally on the wine’s surface, works in concert with the Andalucian maritime climate and the traditional criadera and solera ageing system to create wines that are perpetually evolving. For the team, the most rewarding part is witnessing how time shapes Sherry. Sip a Harveys VORS for the first time and you’re experiencing centuries of culture and tradition in a single glass.
At the pinnacle of Fundador’s production sits Harveys V.O.R.S., wines certified to have aged for more than 30 years. These living archives represent generations of cellar masters who have tended to the soleras with unwavering dedication, ensuring that what emerges is wine of profound depth and balance. It’s the age combined with the devotion of those who have cared for these soleras over decades that makes them genuinely unique.
Making sherry here is well more than a vocation – it’s a calling, and it shows.
Bodegas Fundador top picks:
Supremo 15 YO Amontillado Sherry Casks Brandy De Jerez
A pleasantly intense brandy with a delightful salty, leathery nose and elegant flavours of juicy blackberries, crisp blackcurrant, plump raisins, moreish almond and pecans. A long, rich caramelised finish lures you back for another sip. Wonderful. 96 points
Palo Cortado Medium Blend VORS NV
Complex and inviting nose that explodes with the scent of ripe plums, orange peel, burnt toffee, toasted almonds and rancio notes. The palate is dense, rich and concentrated with alcohol and acidity in perfect balance. Endless layers of flavour! 96 points
Harveys Pedro Ximénez VORS NV
An absolute textbook example. Creosote and acetone appear at first on the nose, followed by burnt sugar, figs, prunes and raisins with a savoury undertow to the palate. Incredibly intense and layered with everything in the right place. Astonishing length. 95 points
Harveys 30 YO Oloroso Medium NV
Enticing aromas of dried fruits and delicate dry roses, complemented by hints of coffee and toasted oak. On the palate, a rich tapestry of compelling flavour unfolds, showcasing a delightful balance of caramelised nuts and sweet spices. 95 points
Harveys 30 YO Palo Cortado Medium NV
Opens with an intense bouquet of candied fruits and orange blossom, complemented by hints of walnut. The exquisite palate drips with a rich tapestry of butterscotch and hazelnut cream. The harmonious finish showcases a fine balance of sweetness and complexity. 95 points
Harveys 30 YO Pedro Ximénez NV
Beautifully complex with an enticing blend of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and candied orange, all interwoven with hints of cassis jam and toffee. A dense textured mouthfeel that is both fresh and beautifully balanced, leading to a long, satisfying finish. 95 points
Supremo 15 YO Amontillado Sherry Casks Brandy de Jerez
The nose boasts a Danish pastry richness, with elements of tropical mango, smoky tobacco, and rancid leather. The palate features vanilla, orange peel and dates. Bitterness and sweetness are perfectly balanced. Luxuriously velvety, with an aromatic and nutty, lingering finish. 95 points
Oloroso Medium Blend VORS NV
Sweet dried fruit aromas and a hint of earthiness on the nose with roasted characteristics, raisins and date flavours on the palate. Sweetness balances the dryness of the wine and rounds out the edges. Impressive depth of flavour. 95 points
Harveys VORS Palo Cortado Medium Blend NV
White Good complexity on the nose, rich, round, creamy and smooth. Intense, rich and generous palate with flavours of toasted almonds, dark chocolate and undertones of tobacco and fig leaf. Great freshness, complexity and quality. A superb offering. 95 points
Supremo 18 YO Oloroso Sherry Cask Brandy de Jerez
The nose boasts notes of rich dates and brown sugar. On the palate, a balanced interplay of nuttiness and spice, with ginger and clove adding depth. The finish is long and intense. 93 points
