Winemaker
Juan José Mesa
- Discipline
- Winemaker
- Based in
- Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
i. Biography
Jerez de la Frontera gives Juan José Mesa his working ground: a city where fermentation, aging, and blending are judged not by label language, but by vessel, cellar, aroma, texture, and time. Since 2022 at Williams & Humbert, Juan José Mesa has held the linked responsibilities of Technical Director, Winemaker, and Master Blender, moving from oenology into rum through Dos Maderas and its triple aging in the Caribbean and Jerez.
The Path
Laboratory work and professional governance set the base for Juan José Mesa’s practice. He served as professor in microbiology at University of Cádiz and as a Scientific Researcher at University of Cádiz, while also serving as president at Andalusian Association of Oenologists (2014–2024). That mix of research, teaching, and association leadership carries directly into Williams & Humbert, where since 2022 he has held technical, sensory, and blending responsibilities that all depend on close attention to the material.
The Work Today
At Williams & Humbert in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Mesa has served since 2022 as Technical Director, Winemaker, and Master Blender. The work spans production control, sensory judgment, and the composition of blends, with each role asking for a different kind of precision while staying tied to the same house style. Dos Maderas sits within that work as a rum defined by triple aging in the Caribbean and Jerez. The method gives the spirit its identity through movement between climates and cellar cultures, with each stage contributing to the final profile rather than replacing what came before. Mesa speaks about rum in terms of aroma and balance. “For me, rum is one of the distillates with the richest aroma and greatest versatility.” He looks for clear aromatic structure and for the alignment of floral, spicy, and toasted wood notes: “The aromatic intensity and the harmony of floral, spicy, and toasted wood fragrances can be found in a good rum.” His entry point to the category came through a university tasting, where study and sensory work met in the same room. “I remember falling in love with rum at a specialized tasting held at the University, where I was able to discover the many nuances found in rum.”
Signature
Juan's signature wines include Dos Maderas, Zafiro Calamansi, Pando Spritz, Tripulante Choco Coco, and Rum Dos Maderas Origin Thailand.
In Their Words “The aromatic intensity and the harmony of floral, spicy, and toasted wood fragrances can be found in a good rum.” “For me, rum is one of the distillates with the richest aroma and greatest versatility.”
Acclaim
Juan's honors include Extraordinary End of Degree Award in Oenology.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Juan
What is Juan José Mesa's current role?
As of 2026, Juan José Mesa is Technical Director, Winemaker, and Master Blender.
Where did Juan José Mesa work before?
Juan José Mesa's earlier career included University of Cádiz, University of Cádiz, and Andalusian Association of Oenologists.
What recognition has Juan José Mesa received?
Extraordinary End of Degree Award in Oenology.
