After a few years of smaller batches (5 to 25 gallons) of wines, will be
moving up to some larger crushes this year - 30+ gallons. Am interested in
moving to oak barrels this year or next, but have some concerns - and would
apprecaite any experience you can share.

* Size. Have read often "small barrels leak too much". Have been considering
30 gallon barrels. Any experience with this size barrel? Leak probelms?
* Age of oak. I tend to prefer very subtly oaked wine - not a fan of the
'oaky' styles. Am concerned with the potential to 'over-oak' with new oak
barrels. Any suggestions on soak treatments with new barrels to soften the
character?

Veraison here in the vineyard - vines are netted, and getting jazzed up for
the new season!

"Ric" > wrote in message
t...
> After a few years of smaller batches (5 to 25 gallons) of wines, will be
> moving up to some larger crushes this year - 30+ gallons. Am interested in
> moving to oak barrels this year or next, but have some concerns - and
> would apprecaite any experience you can share.
>
> * Size. Have read often "small barrels leak too much". Have been
> considering 30 gallon barrels. Any experience with this size barrel? Leak
> probelms?
> * Age of oak. I tend to prefer very subtly oaked wine - not a fan of the
> 'oaky' styles. Am concerned with the potential to 'over-oak' with new oak
> barrels. Any suggestions on soak treatments with new barrels to soften the
> character?

Suggest you try someplace like www.morewinemaking.com

I have not bought any barrels from them but I noticed that they do sell
re-conditioned barrels. I think the 30 gallon or 120 liter is a good size
to have.

I am sure they will give you directions on how to care for your barrel.

If you live in the Baltimore area you can get re-conditioned barrels from
S&S wine grapes during harvest season.

I don't think size has anything to do with the barrel leaking or not.
The quality of construction does. I have a 5 gallon and it doesn't leak
at all.

The reconditioned barrels on more wine are recoop.net barrels I believe.
If you go directly to recoop you can order a medium minus toast level,
which shouldn't over oak your wine.

Ric wrote:
> After a few years of smaller batches (5 to 25 gallons) of wines, will be
> moving up to some larger crushes this year - 30+ gallons. Am interested in
> moving to oak barrels this year or next, but have some concerns - and would
> apprecaite any experience you can share.
>
> * Size. Have read often "small barrels leak too much". Have been considering
> 30 gallon barrels. Any experience with this size barrel? Leak probelms?
> * Age of oak. I tend to prefer very subtly oaked wine - not a fan of the
> 'oaky' styles. Am concerned with the potential to 'over-oak' with new oak
> barrels. Any suggestions on soak treatments with new barrels to soften the
> character?
>
> Veraison here in the vineyard - vines are netted, and getting jazzed up for
> the new season!
>
>

Thanks Marty. I have been in correspondence with recoop for many months -
glad you also recommend them. and am also glad to ehr that your smaller
barrels aren't leaking - but I have to tell you, this 'small barrel leakage'
is a recurring refrain. However, a seperate correspondence pointed out to me
that the cooperage on the 30 gal barrels is very similar in nature to the
50 - and that they had not had any leakage with their 30 gal barrels.

I think I'll be taking your recommend to go with a medium minus recoop
barrel. thanks



>I don't think size has anything to do with the barrel leaking or not.
> The quality of construction does. I have a 5 gallon and it doesn't leak
> at all.
>
> The reconditioned barrels on more wine are recoop.net barrels I believe.
> If you go directly to recoop you can order a medium minus toast level,
> which shouldn't over oak your wine.
>
> Ric wrote:
>> After a few years of smaller batches (5 to 25 gallons) of wines, will be
>> moving up to some larger crushes this year - 30+ gallons. Am interested
>> in
>> moving to oak barrels this year or next, but have some concerns - and
>> would
>> apprecaite any experience you can share.
>>
>> * Size. Have read often "small barrels leak too much". Have been
>> considering
>> 30 gallon barrels. Any experience with this size barrel? Leak probelms?
>> * Age of oak. I tend to prefer very subtly oaked wine - not a fan of the
>> 'oaky' styles. Am concerned with the potential to 'over-oak' with new oak
>> barrels. Any suggestions on soak treatments with new barrels to soften
>> the
>> character?
>>
>> Veraison here in the vineyard - vines are netted, and getting jazzed up
>> for
>> the new season!
>>
>>