The Stave Mill Operations
3 years long of a rigorous preparation
Having been located for a long time next to the cooperage in St Simon de Bordes, the Stave Mill site was relocated in 2010 to the centre of France (Allier) close to many National Forests.
Oak trees are brought there after being chopped down, heads are removed in the aim of conserving only the base of the trees, this then become Oak staves for the barrels production.
Oak wood first undergoes an intensive washing period, constantly being watered, to clean and eliminate bad tannins. This operation may last several weeks before the oak tree trunks area ready to be split.
When ready, oak wood is then split in staves and is stacked for an optimum natural drying.
The wood is now dried from 24 to 36 months, the time that is needed to allow oak staves to reach an aromatic maturity. The wood is regularly controlled to check that the drying quality has been obtained.
Once it gets to maturity, the wood is taken to the Cooperage site, in St Simon de Bordes, close to Bordeaux Wineries and Cognac distilleries.
Stave Mill Site
