Tradición moves into Sanlúcar with the acquisition of historic Argüeso

Bodegas Tradición from Jerez is expanding into manzanilla production with its purchase of Herederos de Argüeso, one of Sanlúcar de Barrameda’s historic houses. The deal includes the former Santo Domingo convent cellars in the town’s Barrio Bajo, the brand San León —one of Sanlúcar’s benchmark manzanillas — and a selection of old soleras, although no details have been disclosed. According to the Jerez-based producer, the aim is to “preserve the legacy of manzanilla and develop a new project for manzanillas and other wines.”

Argüeso’s extensive complex —among the most iconic in Sanlúcar, with around 20 individual cellars— will undergo an “ambitious, meticulous and slow” programme of full restoration. Among the spaces included are La Sacristía and El Refectorio, which preserve sixteenth-century polychrome coffered ceilings.

Alongside the recovery of the architectural heritage, Tradición plans to maintain and expand the stock of soleras and to undertake a full brand redesign and the development of a new visual identity. The Rivero family, owners of Bodegas Tradición, is also considering the launch of a gastronomic project within the Barrio Bajo facilities, echoing the one that operated there some years ago.

The purchase price has not been made public, but according to Diario de Jerez, industry sources place it at around seven million euros. What Tradición has confirmed to SWL is that the Sanlúcar property, which will be renamed Bodegas Tradición–Sanlúcar, is set to undergo “a deep and radical transformation in its management”, as the house will now “operate under the stamp, brand and management model of Bodegas Tradición in Jerez”.

Based in Jerez de la Frontera, Tradición is a family-run winery specialising in high-quality, long-aged wines and brandies. Established in 1998 by Joaquín Rivero, it reinstated the family’s winegrowing legacy, which goes back to 1650 and the historic Bodega CZ. The purchase of Herederos de Argüeso, the Jerez-based winery notes, reflects its commitment to safeguarding authenticity and protecting the historic wines of the Sherry region.