Sopla Poniente sprang to life through the collaborative vision of Pepe Rodríguez de Vera and Carlos Jiménez López-Quecuty. Acting as marquistas (expert selectors and blenders), the duo range around Andalusia in pursuit of unique and incredible botas from ancient soleras. Their journey unfolds sacristía by sacristía - these inner sanctums of Sherry bodegas where the oldest and most obscure barrels are kept, often neglected and foresaken for decades if not centuries, covered in cobwebs, yet brimming with potential. Their mission is to unearth and share with the world these incredible veiled treasures that remain largely unknown. As they put it themselves, the only work required is simply that of restoring value to something that already exists, something latent that only needs the right companion to reach its full potential.

The botas they select are then expertly blended according to Pepe’s discerning taste, which consistently aims for authenticity, singular personality, and emotional resonance. Every year excruciatingly miniscule quantities are bottled for release, never tipping over into an amount that might compromise the enduring character of the remaining liquid in the bota. 

Every Sopla Poniente bottling is a sublime and glorious experience - of sherry not as a relic or an artefact of history, but a heavenly nectar bursting with vitality. Every sip, of such rarities as a 30yr unfortified Amontillado made from Pedro Ximinez in Montilla-Moriles - is an intoxicating and utterly compelling shredding of any preconceptions of what sherry was, is and could be. 

It’s impossible to overstate the point - these are the most unique and thrilling wines coming out of Andalusia today. Drink any bottle that you can get your hands on.