Producer
Williams & Humbert
Historic producer in the Marco de Jerez (Spain) specialized in Jerez wines, Brandy de Jerez and a range of spirits including rum and gin; known for the criaderas y soleras aging system and for the Dos Maderas brand.
- Jerez de la Frontera · Andalusia · Spain
- Since 1877
- 20 products
The story
Founded in 1877 by Alexander Williams and Arthur Humbert, Williams & Humbert has a long tradition in producing Jerez wines and brandy. During the 20th century the company participated in the creation of the Denominación de Origen Jerez-Xérès-Sherry; today it is managed by the Medina family and maintains an established international commercial presence.
Production philosophy
A union of tradition and innovation: preserving classic methods of the Marco de Jerez (criaderas y soleras system) while developing innovative projects (e.g. organic viticulture and double-aged products). The focus is on quality, preservation and international export.
Territory
Cellars and facilities are located in the 'triangle' of the Marco de Jerez between Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Andalusia, Spain).
Production method
Use of the traditional Criaderas y Soleras system for aging wines and brandy; for some expressions (e.g. Dos Maderas) a double aging is practiced that combines an initial period in barrels in the Caribbean and a second refinement phase in barrels previously oxidized by Jerez wines.
Ageing
Criaderas y Soleras system for wines and brandy; for the Dos Maderas line: initial aging phase in Caribbean barrels (e.g. 5 years) and subsequent maturation in Jerez in barrels previously used for sherry (e.g. 3 years, solera structures).
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Jerez de la Frontera
- Categories
- Brandy de Jerez
- Sherry wines (Jerez)
- Aged rum (double aged)
- Gins
- Liqueurs and cream liqueurs
- Vermouth
- Raw materials
- Palomino grapes
- Pedro Ximénez grapes
- Moscatel grapes
- Casks and ageing vessels
- American oak barrels
- barrels previously used for sherry (e.g. Palo Cortado / Dos Cortados)
- Representative products
- Dos Maderas (range of double-aged rums)
- Don Zoilo (Pedro Ximénez and other expressions)
- Canasta Cream (cream sherry/liqueur)
- Gran Duque de Alba (brandy)
- Dry Sack (sherry)
- Cubical / Zafiro (gins)
What makes it distinctive
- Historic company founded in 1877 based in the Marco de Jerez.
- Extensive cellars holding tens of thousands of American oak barrels used for aging.
- Producer of the well-known Dos Maderas rum, characterized by double aging Caribbean → Jerez.
- Development of agricultura ecológica (organic viticulture) and launch of organic jereces (projects started in 2015).
- Broad portfolio including sherry, brandy, rum, gin and liqueurs; commercial presence in dozens of countries.
- Architecturally awarded facilities (National Architecture Prize for the bodega buildings).