About barrels
Oak barrels
Barrique barrel is an oak barrel with a capacity of 225 litres. These barrels are made from various types of oak trees, growing mainly in France, the USA, and Eastern Europe. Each type of oak wood complements the flavour and aroma of aging wine in a different way; therefore, barrels from suitable types of oak are chosen for aging of different types of wine. Barrels sold by our company are mostly made from French oak, exceptionally from American oak.
What can the barrels be used for? The barrels are mostly used for catching water outdoors, for making furniture for wineries, restaurants, as well as for private wine cellars. Very often, they are used just as a decoration.
How to take care of rainwater barrels?
No special care of the barrel is required. However, if you want to prolong its useful life and especially its appearance, it is recommended to repaint it every year with a wood oil (if used outdoors, be sure you use outdoor wood oil). In case you want to fill the barrel with water, it will gradually suck water and “expand”, which means that it can leak water first, but once the wood expands, the barrel will serve its purpose. In case you plan to keep the barrel outside during the winter, do not drain the barrel. If the temperatures are extremely low, place a few pieces of wood in the barrel. In case you drain the barrel, put it bottom up and cover the bottom, as in this position (when the barrel is upside down, the bottom cannot be in touch with water or snow. Even little water that freezes can damage the bottom. Empty barrels cannot be put in a heated room or be in the direct contact with sunlight.
I want to refurbish my barrel myself
Are you going to sand the barrel? No need to worry. Wood is easy to sand, the walls of barrels are thick, and sanding is easy…If you want a perfectly sanded barrel, you need to take off the hoops. Do not take off all of them, otherwise the barrel will fall apart.
In case you have decided to take off the header, no problem. You need to remove all hoops from the upper half of the barrel (be sure to secure the barrel with a stap before taking off the last hoop). Gradually loosen the strap until you are able to take off the header and then tighten and put the hoops back in properly.
