Señora Xerez Opens in Downtown St. Augustine
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida (December 6, 2024) – Sherry, Jerez, Xerez — it all means the same delicious thing: a rich fortified wine hailing from the sun-kissed vineyards of the Jerez region of Andalusia, Spain. It is one of the oldest wines in the world, and it’s now the centerpiece of a new bar and restaurant called Señora Xerez, located at 52 Charlotte Street inside the Inn on Charlotte. The Inn and bar are both founded by Ericka Patel, a female entrepreneur and visionary who runs several historic inns in St. Augustine. Mrs. Ericka (as she prefers to be called), along with her oldest son Ricky, share a passion for wine, but it’s their Hispanic heritage that inspired them to dream up Señora Xerez, which opened its doors last week. “Señora Xerez is a living tribute to an era of resilience and progress in hospitality,” Mrs. Ericka shares. “Where women opened spaces for their community to gather, to share in the history, culture, and identity of Spanish heritage.”
Mrs. Ericka drew inspiration from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, a city famous for producing Sherry wine – or "Xerez." The bar focuses primarily on sherry wines and vermouths, serving specialty sangrias, sherry-based cocktails, sherry and vermouth flights, and Spanish wines. “Señora Xerez is a unique concept that is the first of its kind in St. Augustine,” shares Cesar Diaz, Food and Beverage Consultant (and owner of Odd Birds and Charlotte 33 Speakeasy). “And our cocktails are just as unique. Patrons have premier access to the finest selection of Spanish wines and sherry in the state of Florida.”
Señora Xerez’s food menu is crafted by Miami-based Chef Manuel Garcia, who was born into one of the most renowned Spanish cuisine kitchens, La Paella Valenciana, owned by his father, Chef Pedro Garcia. “We are proud to serve traditional Spanish tapas such as gambas al ajillo (Spanish garlic shrimp), pulpo a la gallega (octopus), pan con tomate (Spanish tomato bread), montaditos (tiny open-faced sandwiches), a curated selection of jamon iberico (curated meats), and a fine selection of Spanish cheeses,” shares Chef Garcia. While Sherry is millenia old, many people might not know what varietal to order or how to pair it with food, and Señora Xerez is excited to change that. “Our staff is trained to give patrons an experience and an education, on both sherry and the gastronomy of Spain,” Mrs. Ericka shares. “We’re bringing a piece of Xerez to America's oldest city.”
ABOUT SEÑORA XEREZ – Located in downtown St. Augustine inside the Inn on Charlotte, at 52 Charlotte Street, Señora Xerez is a boutique sherry and cocktail bar showcasing the world’s most ancient wine and the gastronomy of Spain. It’s inspired by a fictional bar keeper named Señora Xerez, who is rumored to have descended from a long line of vinters in Andalusia, the heart of Spain's sherry region. Explore the depth and culture of Spanish wines and tapas, with candle-lit conversations and an effortless elegance. Señora Xerez is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm, and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm. Photos to accompany the press release can be found here. Photo credit Cade Huffman. Follow along on social @senoraxerez and @innoncharlotte
