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About
The Gold Standard of Craftsmanship.
Every barrel produced by François Frères is backed by a rigorous system of computerized traceability that tracks the wood from the forest to the cellar. As soon as timber arrives at the site, it is assigned a digital identity card detailing its forest origin, supplier, and arrival date.
This individual tracking ensures that 100% of the oak comes from PEFC certified sources where biodiversity is preserved. Ultimately, each finished barrel receives a unique identification number that encapsulates its entire history, providing winemakers with absolute transparency and confidence in the origin and care of their oak.
François Frères Barrels
Tailor-made barrels crafted from the finest oak to bring out and reinforce the intrinsic qualities of great wines.
By listening attentively to their partners, they meet the demands of a wide spectrum of modern vinification and maturation techniques.
François Frères has mastered procurement and craftsmanship to deliver barrels that winemakers can trust implicitly.
Accountability & Total Traceability
Every barrel produced by François Frères is backed by a rigorous system of computerized traceability that tracks the wood from the forest to the cellar. As soon as timber arrives at the site, it is assigned a digital identity card detailing its forest origin, supplier, and arrival date. This individual tracking ensures that 100% of the oak comes from PEFC certified sources where biodiversity is preserved. Ultimately, each finished barrel receives a unique identification number that encapsulates its entire history, providing winemakers with absolute transparency and confidence in the origin and care of their oak.
A Century of Burgundian Heritage
Established in 1910 by Joseph François and later branded as François Frères in 1942, the cooperage has been a fixture of the Burgundian wine landscape for four generations. Located just outside the village of Saint-Romain, the business has grown from an artisanal local workshop into the leading global supplier for the world's most renowned Pinot Noir and Chardonnay estates.
This deep connection to its homeland ensures that every barrel produced is a reflection of over a century of accumulated expertise and a commitment to the best traditions of artisan coopers.
Vertical Integration From Forest to Stave Mill
François Frères maintains nearly total self-sufficiency by controlling the entire production process from the forest to the finished barrel. The company operates three stave mills within its holdings, sourcing all raw oak from certified sustainable, government-managed forests in France through the National Forestry Office (ONF). By managing their own stave yards, they are able to extract only the most noble parts of the wood, ensuring that grain selection is fastidious and tailored specifically to the structural needs of the wine.
The Microclimate of Saint-Romain
The seasoning of the oak takes place in the unique microclimate of Saint-Romain, where the staves are exposed to natural elements for a minimum of two to four years. In this clean and windy environment, a 100% natural maturation process occurs as episodes of rain, wind, and sun alternate to leach out bitter ellagitannins. This atmospheric oxidation allows the wood fibers to tighten and refine, transforming the phenolic compounds and preparing the staves to contribute textural complexity and millefeuille layering to the finished wine.
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Technical Data
| Location | › Saint-Romain, Burgundy, France. › 47°00’27.9″N › 4°42’45.8”E › Staves are seasoned on site, at the cooperage. |
|---|---|
| Climate Description | › Rainfall: average 173 rainy days per year Monthly precipitation: › 80-100mm per month, Oct-March (Winter) › 50-70mm per month, April-August (Summer) |
| Temperature Range | › Average minimum temperature: 8.0° celsius › Average maximum temperature: 17.0° celsius |
| Barrel Sizes Specifications | › 225l Bordeaux, 6 hoops, 27mm staves, 49kg › 228l Burgundy, 8 hoops, 27mm staves, 50kg › 300l Hogshead, 8 hoops, 27mm staves, 61kg › 500l Puncheon, 8 hoops, 27mm staves, 78kg |
| Seasoning Description | › Two year minimum open air seasoning at the Cooperage. › A 100% natural approach in the fresh air requires no intervention (such as water sprinkling). › By dehydrating naturally, the wood fibres tighten and become more water-proof. As the water leaches out, the wood is cleansed of all the elements capable of making the wine taste bitter, and it develops complex aromatic precursors. |
| Bending Practice Fire/steam/water | › Exclusively fire bent staves |
| Grains | › Medium Open › Medium › Medium Tight › Tight › Very Tight › Hand Select |
| Toasts | › Light › Medium › Medium Plus › Heavy › Light Long (LX) › Medium Light-Long (MLX) › Medium Long (MX) › Toasted Heads available |
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Products
Barriques
The Burgundy range is centred on the traditional formats of the region, emphasising elegance and structural support for varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Available in:
- 228L Burgundy Export
- 350L Burgundy Export
The Bordeaux range at François Frères is defined by high-precision craftsmanship and a technical focus on the specific needs of Cabernet and Merlot varietals.
Available in:
- 225L Bordeaux Export
Puncheons & Hogsheads
For winemakers seeking a lower oak-to-wine ratio and more subtle integration, François Frères provides larger vessels that help preserve primary fruit characters.
Available in:
- 300L Hogshead
- 500L Puncheon
- 600L Puncheon
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Contact
Your François Frères Specialist
Speak to Simon Joy, our François Frères specialist, for a personalised product experience. If you have any questions about François Frères oak products or the rest of our range, please don’t hesitate to contact Simon:
Mobile: 0488 577 718
Email: simon@classicoakproducts.com
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