Tonnellerie Millet

Tonnellerie Millet French Oak Barrels

WINE BARRELS FROM BORDEAUX

Your wine barrels should be made using the same care and attention to detail that goes into your wine. Dominique Millet is meticulous throughout the barrel making process, from the wood selection and seasoning to the consistency of toasting that often can't be matched by a larger cooperage. Dominique is so highly respected in the cooperage industry, he is relied upon as a coach, technical adviser and board examiner for several cooperage schools and organizations in France.

At the cooperage, Dominique uses the “open stacking” method and monitors every stack himself to assess if each has had enough rainfall to release the ideal amount of aromatic compounds and eliminate harsh tannins. Minimum seasoning is 24 months, but based on tracking the rainfall, he will opt to season beyond that if needed, particularly if it's a hot or dry year. It's very rare winemakers order 36-month seasoned barrels because the "standard" 24+ months is always perfect.

Dominique Millet: A Legacy for Future Generations

Ever since he was a boy, Dominique Millet wanted to be a cooper like his father. As a young teenager, he would build small barrels in his room at night after he did his homework. He learned from his father, Guy, who was a great master cooper.

Now Dominique shares his knowledge with a new generation of coopers in his roles as:

Coach at Bordeaux Cooperage School
Technical Advisor for Cooperage Schools
World Skills Competition » Jury Member and organizer
Certificate of Competence for Coopers » Jury President (Bordeaux)
Best Apprentices in France » Jury Member (MAF)
Best Workers in France » Jury Member (MOF)

Lessons from an Ancient Society

Guy Millet, Dominique's father, was a member of the Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France, a French organization of craftsmen and artisans dating back to the 13th century. Apprentices travel from town to town to study under the masters.

Through a powerful "link of knowledge," coopering skills were passed down from generation to generation, often through secret practices.