Osborne stands as one of Sherry’s most committed wineries, with over two centuries devoted to promoting the wonders of the region’s products

In the late 18th Century, Thomas Osborne Mann, a young British gentleman with an entrepreneurial spirit, founded a winery in El Puerto de Santa María. 230 years later, Bodegas Osborne is still a family business, entirely under Spanish capital and one of Spain’s leading wine houses in terms of international outlook. In this feature we will take a plunge into the fascinating history of a company born in Jerez, that now also owns land in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, as well as a spectacular winery in Malpica de Tajo (Toledo).

The company is famous the world over for the wine they produce under Sherry appellation. This international acclaim is well documented. For example, in 1845, Windsor Castle wrote in an order for two barrels of sherry for the Royal Family; a manuscript by Sir Robert Gardiner dated 16 February 1856 ordered a range of wines for the King of Belgium, while the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg also ordered three barrels.

However, the company’s roots hark further back, to 1772, when Thomas Osborne Mann moved from Devon to Puerto de Santa María (Cadiz). He entered business by associating himself with the British Consul to Cadiz, Sir James Duff. Nearly 100 years later, Duff’s heirs sold their share to the Osborne family. The products, which had been sold under the brand Duff Gordon, were henceforth branded Osborne, which was easier to pronounce both in English and Spanish.

Nothing is improvised at Osborne’s wineries in Puerto de Santa María, designed specifically for making sherry. The buildings face South and Southwest, so as to welcome the sea breeze, with high ceiling to allow fresh air to circulate and subdued lighting. All these factors are essential when it comes to making a perfect wine.

Names such as ‘Buenos Aires’, ‘Carraca’ or ‘San José’ recall some of the best cellars where Osborne makes and stores finos, amontillados, olorosos and sweet sherry wines. Procedures are supervised by José Ignacio Lozano, technical director for Puerto de Santa María, where the group holds over 200 Has., both in property and on long term lease. Facilities cover a total 13,000 m2 for winemaking, with a further 19,000 m2 for ageing, in a total 18,000 casks.