860 Napa Valley Corporate Way Suite C, Napa, CA, United States of America, 94558

http://www.bouchardcooperages.com

(707) 257-3582

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Supplier Spotlight: European Cooperages Hungary

With the first days of summer upon us, we would like to share some information about our premium 100% Hungarian Oak barrels, made by European Coopers Hungary; the third largest cooperage in Hungary.

European Coopers Hungary is completely vertically integrated, with direct control of sourcing and production, from the forest to splitting, seasoning, and toasting. Managing every step of the process to ensure quality and consistency. 



European Coopers Hungary - History


European Coopers Hungary was founded in 1997 by Master Cooper Kristóf Flódung together with renowned representatives of the Italian wine industry including Piero Antinori from Tuscany's Marchesi Antinori, Eugenio Gamba from Piemonte's Botti Gamba and Jacopo Mazzei from Tuscany's Marchesi Mazzei. The goal of European Coopers Hungary was to produce 100% Hungarian oak premium barrels for noble Italian wines.


European Coopers Hungary - Today


European Coopers Hungary produces roughly 2,500 barrels a year at their Southern Hungary facility located in Palotabozsok near the Mecsek oak forest. Since its' inception of coopering barrels meant for noble Italian wines, the cooperage has expanded production for export markets and employs a team of 10 coopers. Kristóf oversees all technical aspects of the cooperage while Dr. Katalin Pintacsi overseas daily activities.



 



Marchesi Antinori


Represents one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious wine producers, with a winemaking legacy dating back to 1385. The Antinori family has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Italian wine, especially through their innovations in Tuscany. They are well known for iconic wines such as Tignanello and Solaia, which helped pioneer the Super Tuscan movement. Today, the company is led by the 26th generation, continuing to balance tradition with modern viticulture.













Badia a Passignano & European Coopers Hungary


The Marchesi Antinori Badia a Passignano estate is nestled in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico region and only 3 km south of Tenuta Tignanello. The historic terroir has long been particularly well-suited to the cultivation of Sangiovese. Post primary and malolactic fermentation, the wine is partially aged in new 300L European Coopers Hungarian oak puncheons made from a blend of Hungarian Tokay and Mecsek oak. 


Hungarian oak is the same Quercus Petraea oak species as French oak. However, the growing terroir of Hungary is different than that of France and contributes to a slightly darker, richer and more "Christmas" spice character in comparison to French Oak that suites elegant and noble red wines.


With EUROPEAN COOPERS HUNGARY barrel and puncheon stock currently in inventory and more on the water, please enquire below if interested or reach out to your Bouchard Cooperages point of contact. 






About

Supplier of premium French, Hungarian, Austrian and American oak barrels, casks and tanks from: Billon, Damy, Maury, Schneckenleitner, European Coopers Hungary and Master Coopers. Exclusive access to Canadell French Oak Alternatives. Italian concrete tanks from CLC Vasche, jarres from Vin et Terre, Opuses from Drunk Turtle, amphora from Artenova and stainless steel eggs from Egginox.

The Company Story:

Vincent Bouchard founded Bouchard Cooperages in 1979 on one basic principle:  to give Winemakers access to the finest custom-fabricated French oak barrels - in time for harvest and at minimal expense - year after year. 

Since then, there have been a lot of changes in the barrel business, and Bouchard Cooperages has been at the forefront of much of the innovation (studies on toast levels, forest origin, and the geography of stave aging, as well as the introduction of the silicone bung and the shrink-wrapping of barrels).  In 2009, we began experimenting on the true effect of atmospheric conditions on stave aging.  Our goal is to determine precisely when staves are ready for barrel fabrication, depending on specific geographic and climatic factors (a 3-year aged stave may not be ready if there was a drought for 2 of those 3 years).  Last year we also introduced the "electronic signature," effectively allowing our Winemakers to approve orders from their laptops or smart phones.  And this year, all of our Coopers began emailing their invoices in an effort to not only save paper, but to save our Customers time and money with accounts payable processing.

Through all of these changes, our core principle remains the same.  We pride ourselves in developing long-term relationships with both our Winemakers and our Coopers.  We believe it is only through this on-going collaboration that we can help Winemakers to consistently realize their winemaking passion.

Simply said, we are forever committed to helping our Coopers craft a better barrel, and to helping our Winemakers craft a better wine.  Our team of Sales Consultants pride themselves on meeting with Winemakers, tasting through their wines, and helping them find the best match for a particular varietal, terroir, and individual winemaking style.

With over 30 years of experience and a global presence, we are also experts in logistics – from container consolidation to exchange rate fluctuation risk management - firmly committed to unparalleled customer service. 

Contact

Contact List

Title Name Email Phone Extension
Founder, General Manager Vincent Bouchard offices@bouchardcooperages.com 707-257-3582
International Barrel Consultant Carrie Tides carrie@bouchardcooperages.com 707-695-8222
Oregon & New Zealand Sales Manager Roberta Manell-Montero rmm@bouchardcooperages.com 503-724-2744
International Oak Alternatives Consultant Sarah Lanzen sarah@bouchardcooperages.com 707-592-9961
Eastern Canada Barrel Consultant Mary Delaney mabourgogne@sympatico.ca 905-932-3942
Accounting Director Kris Conemac kris@bouchardcooperages.com 707-256-2812
International Logistics Rachel Bobbs rachel@bouchardcooperages.com 707-256-2813
Australia National Sales Representative and Intern Amber Glastonbury amber@bouchardcooperages.com
General Sales Paolo Bouchard paolo@bouchardcooperages.com 707-287-0727

Location List

Locations Address State Country Zip Code
Bouchard Cooperages 860 Napa Valley Corporate Way Suite C, Napa CA United States of America 94558

List of Locations