This proprietary production regime uniquely employs fire, water and air to raise the stave wood toasting temperature above that of our other two methods. Chocolate, toffee and fine almond nuances help you make wines you thought could only be made from French oak barrels.

Our water-bent barrels are first immersed in very hot water to break down the lignins in the wood, bent to shape, then slowly toasted over an oak fire while still wet. Because water conducts heat better than air, this toasting penetrates extraordinary depth. Typical characteristics associated with this barrel are a sweet nose, velvety texture and spicy confluence of vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and roasted nut. 

Classic fire-bent barrels are made from air-dried American oak, leisurely toasted over an oak fire to caramelize the naturally occurring sugars in the wood. Our well-toasted fire-bent barrels deliver a rich, balanced texture, aromatic vanilla, pepper and allspice flavors.