Our Cooperage

Local Service

Tonnellerie d’Aquitaine has been in the United States since 2001. We have local offices in both California and Washington State. Our goal is to provide customers with outstanding on-site support and service. Our team is available to answer your questions or assist you in choosing the best barrels for your wine production.

History

This exclusive “Grand Cru” boutique cooperage has been the supplier to Bordeaux First Growth Chateaux since 1860.  Tonnellerie d’Aquitaine started in Bellebat near Bordeaux, France.  Tonnellerie d’Aquitaine further expanded its production capacity and is now producing barrels and puncheons in a facility located in Cazouls-Les-Beziers in the Languedoc-Roussillion region, France.

Wood

Oaks are selected by Tonnellerie d’Aquitaine among the most beautiful forests of France, famous for their fine grain wood, sourced from the auctions of the “Office National des Forests". The wood is then split along the fibers to provide barrel characteristics.  The staves are air seasoned on our premises from 24 to 36 months.  Traceability to identify wood origin is based on an ID number system tracking each lot of wood and production date.

Workmanship

Fire bending and assembly are performed using ancient techniques known by our master coopers.  Since 1860 several generations of master coopers have succeeded one another at the Tonnellerie d’Aquitaine facility.  This experience makes it possible to fulfill each order individually, thus allowing us to custom make each barrel and to adapt production, wood origin, wood grain, toasting level, and other specifications according to the winemaker requirements.  The wood selection, fire bending process, and the toasting operation create the “soul” of our barrels or puncheons.  When in harmony, these three elements allow the desired integration of wood into the wine.