ReCoop 

Unnecessary waste and consumption of non-renewable resources are of increasing concern worldwide. In California alone, over 200,000 oak wine barrels made from 200-300 year old oak trees are rendered neutral every year. After 5 years, a $300 to $1,000 handcrafted oak wine barrel will be sold for $15 into the planter market unnecessarily.  For the past 18 years, we have focused and, have succeeded in doubling the useful life of a barrel.  To date we have ReCooped over 90,000 barrels for wineries throughout the United States of America and Mexico.

 

After receiving, the barrel is opened and inspected to ensure there are no cracked staves, excessive blistering, molds or potential contributors to any off flavor.  This is a neutral five year old red barrel ready to be planed. 

We remove 1/4" of the stave and head material.  We remove all of the wine soaked wood, and, have found out, it is critical to remove the heat affected wood from the first toast.  This original toast can penetrate a barrel up to 3/16".
The heads go through a similar, parallel process.  At this point the heads have been planed with the next process removing the wine affected zone on the bezel.  A ReCooped barrel that once held red wine can be used for white wine!
Once we have aged the barrel and heads to ensure complete volatization of all ethanol and wine essence, the barrel is ready to be toasted.  This is a oak-fired, medium toasted French 30 gallon barrel.
A 10, 15, 20 and 30 gallon ReCoop Barrel.  All barrels are hydrated, thoroughly inspected and tested prior to shipment. After all the hard work you go through in picking, sorting, crushing, and de-stemming it is only fitting that your wine should age in a ReCoop barrel.