José Alonso y Pajares founded a bodega in El
Puerto de Santa María in 1870 in the Calle Postigo on the corner with Calle Santa
Fé. He operated successfully as an almacenista and exporter and while the
bodega was small it was busy, sending its wines and spirits all over the world.
In fact he won various medals and diplomas for quality at exhibitions in Europe
and America, and supplied more than one royal household.
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| A late XIX century label blank |
Wine was sold in bulk under the style J Alonso
and in bottle under the style José Alonso Pajares and was as natural as
possible, something he made a feature of. Labels for the bottles were produced
by the best designers and printers in Paris, Málaga and Jerez. The range of
Sherries was considerable, with all the standard styles as well as Manzanilla
Fina and Moscatel Superior and Vermouth. Various other lines were produced in
their own small distillery: Anís, Ojén (a style of anís made famous in Ojén
(Málaga). They even had the nerve to promote their “Cognac Fine Champagne” at
the great exhibition in Paris, while they also sold red and white table wine
from La Mancha.
José was married to María de los Dolores Ruiz
de Cortázar y Calderón but since they had no children she inherited the bodega
after his death using the name Viuda de Pajares until her brother José A Ruiz
de Cortázar Calderón took over, reverting to the name José Alonso Pajares and
adding “Sucesor José A Ruiz de Cortázar” by 1902. He also moved to premises in
Calle Albareda, and interestingly was married to one of the daughters of the
bodegueros Adolfo and Manuela Tosar. At this time there were no fewer than 25
bodegas, 8 distilleries and 18 cooperages operating in El Puerto; how times
change! After José's death in 1937 the
business was wound up.
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