AUSTRIAN OAK FOUDRES, TANKS AND BARRELS

Some wines are more sensitive to the impact of oak and oxygen and are best expressed by fermenting and aging in larger vessels, such as foudres and tanks. The making of these wood giants is a complicated undertaking and requires a thoughtful, experienced hand-crafted approach. Every component has to be perfect.

The Schön cooperage was founded in 1933. And now the fourth generation has brought new dynamism and perfectionism to the daily practices. Manuel Schon is curious and science-minded. He performs more research at his “micro-cooperage” than many of the larger cooperages in France, and he applies what he learns using the lens of an artisan.

Customization is a high priority, and Manuel always wants as much detail as possible about the wines that will go into his foudres, tanks and barrels so he can create the ideal combination of wood, seasoning, bending and toasting that will best enhance the wine.

Minimal use of machines

Schön believes that the best way to keep quality high and have the ability to customize all the little details is to perform the majority of steps throughout production by hand. Only a couple of machines are used at the cooperage, where absolutely necessary, and the rest is left to the artisans.

Fermentation Tanks

For a cooper, there is no greater, more challenging feat than making an oak fermenter. Winemakers who love oak tanks say when they ferment in them, it softens tannins and gives a wine roundness and texture to the wines that is not possible with stainless steel tanks.

These beautiful tanks can be used for maceration and fermentation, and they are conveniently set up for pump-overs and racking.

Wood as a Customization Tool

Every type of wood influences the development of flavors and aromatic compounds in a wine based on wood species and origin. The types of wood used – acacia and oak from forests with different soils – offer a wide range of possibilities to cater for any desired wine style.

Approximately 1,000 cubic metres of wood are stored at the cooperage, which are traced through serial numbers and analyzed to ensure quality and consistency year after year.