Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is named after the thirteenth century king, also called "El Santo", who conquered much of western Andalusia. The eponymous king is said to have discovered the exceptional qualities of the soil and climate of the Marco de Jerez and its ability produce wines of exceptional quality. Despite the historical name, the bodega is relatively young in Jerez terms, having been founded in the 1960s by Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde as Fernando III and then renamed in 1972. The Andrada-Vanderwilde family has been involved in winemaking in the area for two centuries, but Fernando initially focused on producing exceptional brandy before expanding to Pedro Ximénez and sherry vinegar. In 1999 Norwegian-born Jan Pettersen was able to realise his lifelong passion and, together with a group of investors, bought the bodega to produce high-end sherry.