Logs / End split :

When the selected oak trees have been felled, the logs are stacked.
The log is sawed into blocks.
These are split along the grain to ensure strength and adequate tightness.
After being cut longitudinally, the block is quartered, sawed, and transformed into stave wood, or shooks.
We keep only the noble part of the wood that has been stripped of the sapwood.
The role of the staving mill is to get the most out of the wood.

Seasoning :

Seasoning the wood correctly is a priority.
The shooks are stacked outside.
The quality of the seasoning is determined by the combined action of water, wind, and sun.
This is a long process:
                  the wood softens, firms up, then dries out.
                  It loses its astringency and the heavier wood tannins.

Deciding the right moment to start shaping the wood is both an art and a science.

The woodworking :

The workman cuts the shook to the proper length (trimming); rounds it off (planing); scoops it out (hollowing); and prepares it (jointing).
The shook becomes a stave.

In the cooperage :

The staves are placed on a table. The different lengths determine the type of barrel.
Our coopers begin to visualise the shape of the barrel.

Assembly :

The staves are placed in a circle arrangement in a truss ring.
This is called "setting the rose".

Bending :

The wood is softened around a fire pot.
The action of the fire and the water allows the "rose" to be bent into the shape of the barrel shell.

Toasting :

The barrel is then toasted over a natural fire.
A controlled and complex "alchemy" occurs so that the various degrees of toasting will produce the particular characteristics sought after by our customers.

Head pieces / Head placement :

The pieces for the barrel heads are assembled, and cord is used to fill in the joints.
Then the heads are mounted on the barrel shell.
This requires a great deal of dexterity.

Finishing :

This is very important for the visual harmony and feel of our barrels.
These finishing touches are the mark of our enterprise, reflecting all the way to the cellar.

Traceability :

Our cooperage maintains exclusive relations with the staving mill, so we can guarantee you unique traceability from the forest all the way to the barrel.
In-house, our staff is committed to keeping a written record of each step of the fabrication process.

Quality Control

A number of checks are carried out at various stages in the process :

 by our suppliers (in accordance with our specifications),
 but also at the cooperage. Each operation is checked following very precise instructions. This allows us to have quality control on a barrel by barrel basis.

Quality :

Quality is not an empty word for the cooperage.
Above all it means respecting customer requirements to the utmost degree.
It also means keeping up with developments in our profession and staff.
All year round, we offer our customers regular barrel tastings.
Every day, the cooperage staff does all in its power to further the quality of our products.