In 1835, 23 years old Manuel Gonzalez founded a small bodega (a small wine shop) in Jerez, Andalucia. His uncle José Angel Vargas "Pepe" became his mentor. Uncle Pepe was one of the few lovers of dry sherry in Spain, who could fulfill his dream to create his own masterpiece. The family's first sherry was Fino and Uncle Pepe's sherry was a resounding success in the wine empire. In 1927, the brandy aging area was expanded to include the building of San Pedro Nolasco winery and six other wineries in the same part of Jerez. In 1951, the magnificent brandy González Byass Lepanto was released. The company experienced a boom thanks to Robert Byass, a British wine merchant, who became the company's commercial agent. Over time, the company managed to expand exports and conquer new European markets. González's partner Juan Dubosc died in 1863, after which the company was renamed "González Byass". Since then, the company has been run by the 5th generation of the Gonzalez family. The Gonzalez family not only made a great contribution to the popularization of sherry in Great Britain, but also brought many innovations to Spain։ equipped the first polo field, installed electricity, running water in the factory, and participated in the development of railway communication in the country. On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, the company was awarded the gold medal of the city of Jerez, and in 2008 was recognized as the best at the IWSC wine competition. Today, the company's wines are exported to more than 150 countries around the world.