The Phoenicians founded the town of Xera which later was renamed Ceret by the Romans. Both had already grown wine in this area, realizing the quality of chalky soil and the great weather conditions. However Jerez finally got its the name from the Arabs who named it ¨Seris¨, pronounced as ¨Sherish¨. This word changed into Xeres and finally into Jerez.

711 AD as all of Spain, Jerez falls into the hands of the Moors
1264 AD Alfonso X conquers the town of Jerez back for the Reconquista
1594 AD Sir Francis Drake attacks Cadiz and stole 3000 barrels of Jerez wine and made it popular in England. As a consequence many English and Scottish bought land around Jerez and settled there. It is said that many Andalucians have blond or red hair and blue eyes due to the influx of English and Scots intermarrying with the Spanish.