We build casks from 10 to 400 hl and over, both round and oval in standard size or in sizes specifically requested by our clients, and, later, we carry out (upon request) a special delicate toasting process – DTS® in order to make their fragrances sweeter. Both fire bending and toasting are carried out using our new patented “Digital Toasting System®”, at a controlled temperature in order to obtain the best result in terms of fragrance, traceability and duration over time.

The casks are curved using direct fire unless otherwise requested by our clients and then we carry out (on request) a special delicate toasting with electronic control to sweeten the bouquet.
Both the fire curving and the toasting are done at controlled temperature and humidity levels to obtain the best, tested and constant aromatic result.

The staves are curved evenly from end to end, without weakening them at the belly which would facilitate the curving. This ensures the thickness of the stave is the same all along (see drawing 1-2).

This curving technique allows us to make casks that are more solid because most of the force is on the belly longer lasting as wine containers because there is more wood and so more aromatic substances are given to the wine that can be regenerated by taking away 5-8mm of thickness to renew the discarge. The only way to guarantee the perfect holding power of both ends of the cask is by bending them with a double arch so they resemble sections of a large sphere (see drawing 2). This double curving is needed for the 15 hl casks and over because otherwise the ends would deform causing warping and irreparable leakage. This system also avoids having to make useless supports like the costly crossbars typical of techniques which have been surpassed.

The finishing touches include internal and external planing followed by external sand-papering. Considering the long period the casks have to stay in the cellars, which are damp and septic places, the wood, without appropriate protection, would be an easy target for germs which could cause moulding and rotting etc. All the casks are then pressure tested in order to verify their perfect water-tightness and exact capacity.

It is therefore essential that the wood is coated with a protective varnish that does not limit the transpiration of the pores and at the same time protects the wood against micro-organisms. We therefore apply a special natural transpirable varnish to our casks which protects them from moulding, then a red strip is painted around the end of the staves so the wood is protected at its most delicate point, i.e. where the fibres are interrupted and uncovered.