Historic City of Jerez Honored as Spain’s Gastronomic Capital 2026
Contributor Jackie Sheckler Finch visits the historic city of Jerez, Spain (in the province of Cadiz) and discovers how it garnered the title of Spain’s Gastronomic Capital.
Growing up in a small Ohio town, I watched one of my favorite elderly aunts sip a glass of sherry every evening. One time, she even gave me a taste.
My response? Yuck. Too sweet. Tastes like cough syrup.
So I steered clear of that drink until I visited Jerez de la Frontera, honored as Spain’s Gastronomic Capital for 2026.
Known for its sherry, horses and flamenco, the southern city in Spain is also where sherry got its name—from the Arabic name for Jerez, Sherish, which was somehow shortened to Sherry.
And the sherry in Jerez sure isn’t like that medicinal drink I sampled as a kid. In fact, the wine is a favorite ingredient in Jerez cuisine, which probably contributed greatly to Jerez winning the major award as Spain’s Gastronomic Capital 2026.
To further my sherry and Jerez education, I traveled to Spain, where I met chefs, winemakers, horse trainers, flamenco performers and folks who are proud of Jerez and its gastronomic honor.
Come along for the journey and do it yourself if you want to learn more about the birthplace of sherry, along with those dancing horses and soul-soaring flamenco artists.
Tastes and Sips of Jerez
Toro Tapas Restaurant
My first meal in Spain, at Toro Tapas Restaurant, after the long flights from Indy was just what I hoped it would be – Jamón Ibérico (ham); goat cheese aged with sherry; roasted green peppers filled with mackerel, sweet onion and sherry vinegar; tuna-stuffed deviled eggs and many more delights.
I was happy to see server Samuel carving Jamón Ibérico at Toro Tapas restaurant. The ham must be carved just right, and Samuel did an excellent job.
When Victoria poured my first glass of sherry, I immediately knew this was not the same drink my aunt savored so long ago. Already, I was looking forward to visiting the sherry makers and learning more about how they create this wonderful beverage.
Venta El Albero Restaurant
Spain is a long way from Kentucky, but I swear that Juan Pedro Jiménez, owner of Venta El Albero, reminded me of my father’s family from America’s Bluegrass State.
Juan definitely has a green thumb and what he grows in his orchard and agricultural farm helps make the dishes he crafts so fresh and tasty.
Walking through his little farm seemed quite familiar. Here was a man who genuinely enjoyed growing what he used in his kitchen and shared with others. He would pull off a fresh berry and hand it to me to taste.
In his kitchen, Juan and his family prepared a traditional meal including avocados, roasted peppers and tuna; artichokes and peas; and poleá, the familiar dessert of Andalusian cuisine.
As we dined, Juan would stop by the table to make sure everything was excellent from beginning to end—appetizers to dessert, along with sherry, of course.
El Faro de El Puerto de Santa María Restaurant
A tree grew right next to my dining room chair at El Faro de El Puerto de Santa Maria. Inside the restaurant. That’s right. Protected by a glass enclosure with sunlight streaming in from above, the large tree seemed quite healthy and happy.
In an elegant old villa surrounded by gardens, El Faro de El Puerto de Santa Maria is an upscale eatery with devoted followers. Even though this was my first time there, count me among them. Signature dishes included black rice cooked in squid ink with spring garlic and cuttlefish, and grilled beef tenderloin with herbs, spiced butter and vegetables.
Lighthouse memorabilia and artwork on the walls added color and honored the local seafaring heritage. After all, “El Faro” means “Lighthouse” in English.
La Carboná Restaurant
Chef Javier Muñoz—nicknamed “Chef Sherry”—is known for combining fresh local ingredients with sherry for outstanding cuisine at his LaCarboná restaurant in Jerez.
Set in a former sherry warehouse, La Carboná serves dishes that celebrate the city’s historic drink. In addition to being a major ingredient in each dish, a glass of sherry is also enjoyed with the dishes.
At the restaurant, Javier welcomed us into his kitchen, where he created the masterpieces we would enjoy for our leisurely six-course meal—marinated cod with orange and Oloroso sherry; grilled sea bass with Manteca Colorá hollandaise and charred broccoli with lime; and egg yolk custard with sherry cream.
Another gift from a delicious dining experience like La Carboná – the memory lingers long after the meal is done.
Bodegas León Domecq Winery
Lunch and a wine tasting at this bodega (wine cellar), with a history dating back to 1850, were an educational and scrumptious experience.
José Romero Vásquez, commercial director of Bodegas León Domecq, explained each wine he was serving and how to discover the perfect pairings for each.
All the while we drank and ate, we could enjoy the aromas of wine aging in century-old barrels and the privacy of our small gathering. “When you book this, you have it to yourself, whether it is just two people or many more,” José said.
Viña Lorente & Barba Winery
Arriving at this winery was part of the fun. We boarded a horse-drawn carriage made especially for wine tastings—12 people with a table in the middle for tastings.
Seated comfortably in the carriage, we rode through the lovely countryside as vineyard owner Dr. Mauricio Lorente shared the history of Viña Lorente & Barba Winery and how the wine is lovingly made.
“Sherry has been in my family for generations,” Mauricio said, adding that his father and grandfather were both pharmacists who often used wine for medicinal purposes. Eventually, the family winery was sold.
But in 2016, Mauricio teamed up with Julio Barba “to make the wine we would like to drink … The soil here is very rich and really good for planting grapes.”
Cultural Immersion in Jerez
Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art
What an unbelievable spectacle. Set to Spanish music, the 90-minute equestrian ballet is performed with riders dressed in 18th-century costumes. The connection between the horses and riders is so intense that one hand movement or a voice murmur on the part of the rider is a direct message to these amazing Andalusian horses.
Located in a palatial complex in the heart of Jerez, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art honors the Spanish horse, which has existed in the Iberian Peninsula for as long as 3,000 years. The noble horses were praised by classical writers Aristotle, Virgil and Seneca and protected by the Carthusian monks.
Known for its dancing stallions, the hallowed institution also welcomes visitors to tour the stables, saddlery and carriage museum. The purebred Spanish horses are trained for 7 years to perform technically demanding dance steps.
The horses move sideways, back up, rear and dance in time to the music. One of the most intricately choreographed dances was when six white stallions with riders trotted into the stadium theater.
After many complicated moves, the six mingled in a closing formation that seemed impossible without the horses running into each other. So much dedicated training, control and trust between horse and rider.
Yeguada Cartuja Hierro del Bocado Horse Breeding Center
As the only source for the pure Carthusian bloodline, the Yeguada Cartuja Hierro del Bocado breeding center is a big attraction for horse lovers. Here, the horses are bred and raised for three years until their future homes are found, with a few accepted for the renowned Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez.
What makes the Carthusian horse so admired, center public relations director Patricia Sibajas Narváez said, is its extraordinary combination of intelligence, nobility, elegance, beauty and natural harmony with its rider. “Our horses are big but they are very calm,” she said.
Foals remain in free-range pastures until they are 3 years old. That way, Patricia said, the foals build strength, develop naturally and live up to their genetic potential.
In addition to seeing the stables and petting the horses, the center has an interesting museum that shares the history of these remarkable horses./
Punta Bermeja Premium Beach Hotel: A New Resort in Nearby Cadiz
Opened in February, Punta Bermeja Premium Beach Hotel is a beautiful new coastal resort on the Cádiz coast. My sea-facing room overlooked the lovely landscaped pool and grounds. A sliding glass door led to my terrace with its table and chairs.
My room was large and comfortable with a flat-screen TV, WiFi, coffee maker, safe and electric tea kettle. The breakfast buffet was what I would expect at a premium resort in Spain—fruit, veggies, yogurt, pastries, ham, bacon, cheese, eggs cooked to order, fried potatoes and much more.
I was mighty happy to stay at the hotel and think it would make a wonderful destination in itself. Book a stay and seldom leave the property. Enjoy the pool, spa, sea, workout center, walking paths and restaurant for a leisurely few days.
The hotel is about 30 miles from Jerez, which means using transportation to get to the Culinary Capital 2026. If you prefer, you could find accommodations in Jerez where you could walk around and get a feel for this special place.
However, I felt fortunate to stay at the new resort. Very peaceful. I always got a good night’s sleep during my five-day trip and knew that a terrific Spanish breakfast would be waiting for me each morning in the hotel dining room.
Making Memories in Jerez
Tabanco El Pasaje Flamenco Dinner Show
The oldest wine bar in Jerez, Tabanco El Pasaje, is also home to emotional flamenco performances. Selling sherry since 1925, the tavern with its old photos and poster-covered walls is small so if you want a seat, better reserve one ahead of time, or it is standing room only by the bar.
Our dinner was a wonderful selection of Jamón Ibérico, cheese, sausage, tuna, baby artichokes sprinkled with vinegar and much more. Drinks, of course, were sherry served straight from the barrel.
Then the flamenco show began. First, singer Agustín Mancheño and guitarist Manuel León set the stage for dancer Daily Fuguet and about 90 minutes of intense soul-stirring song and dance.
I don’t know how the three had the extreme energy for the highly active performances. This is real flamenco, straight from the heart of Jerez.
IF YOU GO
Information about Spain: Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago at (312) 642-1992
Information about Jerez: Cadiz Tourism Office
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Disclosure: The author was a guest of the Tourist Office of Spain, but any opinions expressed in this post are her own.
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