Toneleria Murua

Toneleria Murua Barrels

SPANISH OAK BARRELS (FRENCH & AMERICAN TOO!)

When we match you with a cooperage, our goal is to help you get the best expression from your wine. But we also love finding you a barrel partner that fits in with your company values. If sustainability and innovation are high on your list of priorities, Murua is an excellent choice.

The cooperage was started by Elena Murua’s great grandfather in 1898. Elena studied biology and got a master's degree in environmental engineering before taking over management of the cooperage in 2009. (FYI, she also has a master's in viticulture, oenology and wine marketing.)

When rebuilding the cooperage ten years later, key areas of focus were sustainability, efficiency, safety and education. Murua is now the most modern cooperage in Spain and one of the most modern in Europe. Elena has received numerous awards and is regarded as a model business owner for innovation and environmental responsibility.

Yet she doesn't loose sight of her family's artisan traditions, particularly when it comes to making great barrels. Murua's signature Immersion process and extra-long toasting optimize fruit expression and balance in a wine, which is why many of the top wineries throughout Spain are using the barrels.

Reusing wood brings Murua closer to zero waste

When a cooperage has its own biomass boiler for converting wood waste into energy to heat its facility, you know its serious about sustainability. Any leftover waste is sent to other companies for reuse and recycling. Traceability and "chain of custody" ensures all the wood used for barrels comes from sustainably managed forests. And in Murua's stave yard, a thriving ecosystem supports biodiversity.

Spanish Oak (quercus pyrenaica)

Locally referred to as "rebollo," this rare oak mostly grows in the Castilla y Leon region in Spain and has largely been forgotten about. Finding use for the wood in the winemaking sector is part of a broad effort to rejuvenate the forests and make them more valuable to society, which in turn leads to better management of the forests and a sustainable future.

Signature Process: Immersion

Water bending, as opposed to fire bending, diminishes tannins and allows for a slow and deep toast. This creates balance and complexity in a wine while preserving and enhancing the fruit. It also brings out more spicy aromas rather than smokey/toasty notes.

Unique Air-Drying Technique

Consistency is a top priority at Murua, and this begins with the seasoning of the wood. A two-year study conducted by Murua and and the INIA confirmed that placing the staves at an oblique angle during the drying period allows for better airflow and a more homogenous result in the final barrels.