The Sign of the Don - And A 1937 Sherry

The Sign of The Don is a new bistro and bar in St Swithin’s Lane in the City of London; it stands on the site of historic Sandeman bottling cellars which originally opened in 1798.

Historically, Sandeman Sherry was produced by Sandeman Bros. & Co. in Jerez de la Frontera in Spain from specially selected soleras of Sandeman stock before shipping to the Sandeman cellars in London.

One particular bottle, drawn off in 1937, lay in the cellars for a couple of years before the outbreak of the second world war and the repurposing of the cellars as air-raid shelters led to it being sent abroad for safe-keeping.

At the launch party for The Sign of the Don, the very same bottle was presented to Robyn and Robert Wilson, owners of The Sign of The Don, by 7th-generation Sandeman, George Sandeman.

Food options at the Sign of the Don includes ham croquetta, confit duck Scotch egg garnished with Sandeman Port jelly, king prawns with chilli and Fino Sherry and an Oloroso Sherry trifle.

Sadly, the 1937 sherry is for display purposes and not drinking.

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