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About
Mastery of the Elements: Fire, Water, and Steam.
François Treuil Tonnellerie delivers a rare level of precision to the cellar through the "Spirit of Brive" philosophy of patience and technical excellence. By mastering three distinct bending methods (traditional fire, water immersion, and innovative steam), Treuil allows winemakers to manipulate oak fibres with surgical accuracy to achieve specific structural goals. This unique versatility ensures a seamless integration that respects fruit purity while building exceptional longevity.
François Treuil Tonnellerie Oak Barrel Collections
A versatile range of technical barrels, each utilising specialised bending and seasoning methods to give winemakers precise control over wine texture and tannin integration.
Tonnellerie Treuil provides winemakers with a reliable tool to shape their wine’s character through a mix of traditional skill and modern technical control.
By mastering different ways to bend and toast oak, Tonnellerie Treuil helps you find the right balance between wood influence and natural fruit.
Engineering for Better Integration
Tonnellerie Treuil offers technical choices like Short-Term Maturation (STM) barrels, which use narrower staves to change how the wine interacts with oxygen. By fitting more staves into a single barrel, the wine can develop and knit together more quickly. This gives winemakers a practical way to manage their cellar program, ranging from the delicate fruit preservation of Marc Kennel to the solid backbone of the Treuil Tradition series.
The Spirit of Brive
The foundation of Tonnellerie Treuil is a philosophy called the Spirit of Brive, which is built on patience and a high standard for quality. This approach means every stage of making a barrel is driven by the wood itself rather than a fast-paced production line. The result is a consistent, high-quality barrel that works in harmony with the wine to bring out its best features.
Mastery of Multi-Method Bending
Tonnellerie Treuil is unique because they can shape oak staves using three different methods: traditional fire, water immersion, or steam. The Marc Kennel steam-bending process is an excellent option for winemakers who want a soft texture without the smoky or charred flavours that fire can bring. For those making bolder reds that need more classic structure and grip, the traditional fire-bending method provides a proven and reliable result.
Maturation in the Brive Microclimate
Before the barrels are even made, the raw oak is seasoned in the open air at Brive, France, for a minimum of 24 to 36 months. The local wind and temperature changes help wash out any harsh or bitter flavours in the wood tannins. This long period of weathering is essential because it ensures the oak is mellow enough to support the wine's structure without masking the fruit.
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Technical Data
| Location | › Brive, France › 45°09’36.40″N › 1°29’19.26″E |
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| Climate Description | › Rainfall: 901mm per year |
| Temperature Range | › Mean high: 21°C › Mean low: 1°C |
| Barrel Sizes Specifications | › Tonnellerie Treuil: 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 › Marc Kennel 225l Bordeaux Export Linear 228l Burgundy Export Linear 480l Puncheon, 44mm stave 225l STM Short Term Maturation 228l STM Short Term Maturation |
| Seasoning Description | › François Treuil Tonnellerie Minimum 24 month 36 month |
| Bending Practice Fire/steam/water | › Exclusively fire bent staves › Treuil Traditional: Fire bent staves over open flame › Treuil Macon: Water bent staves in warm water bath › Marc Kennel: Steam bent staves |
| Grains | › Tonnellerie Treuil Medium Open Medium Medium Tight Tight Very Tight “Harmony” & “Complexity” Cooper Select › Marc Kennel Linear STM Short Term Maturation: Narrow Stave |
| Toasts | › Tonnellerie Treuil Medium Light Medium Medium Plus Heavy Light Long (LX) Medium Light Long (MLX) Medium Long (MX) “Harmony” & “Complexity” Cooper Select › Marc Kennel Linear: Medium, Medium Plus STM Short Term Maturation: Cooper Select speciality |
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Products
Treuil Tradition
Treuil Tradition
The Treuil Tradition range represents the cooperage's core heritage, utilising staves seasoned in the unique Brive microclimate. These barrels are available in several formats and stave options to suit different aging requirements. They provide a dependable structure and clean integration for both red and white wine programs.
Winemakers can choose traditional fire bending for classic grip or the water bent Macon style for a softer impact. The fire bent method creates a strong framework for long-lived wines, while water bending preserves primary fruit purity.
Available in:
| 24 Month Natural Airdrying | 36 Month Natural Airdrying |
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Water Bent
This selection uses the premium wood selection combined with a specialised water immersion technique. By using water to manipulate the oak fibres, the cooperage creates a barrel that is exceptionally gentle on the wine.
The result is a choice that protects delicate fruit profiles and maintains high levels of freshness. It is a practical tool for winemakers who want to build mid-palate weight without introducing aggressive oak tannins.
Available in:
| 24 Month Natural Airdrying | 36 Month Natural Airdrying |
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Cooper Select
The Cooper Select range represents a highly targeted approach to barrel selection, utilising proprietary grain & toast profiles to achieve specific stylistic outcomes for the winemaker. This premium category is designed to offer either enhanced structural depth or aromatic elegance, providing a technical tool set for precise wine styling.
Complexity
The Complexity barrel is engineered for winemakers seeking an overt oak presence characterised by richness & pronounced sweetness. It is an ideal selection for building mid-palate volume, offering deep textural integration that seamlessly supports concentrated fruit profiles.
Available in:
- 225L Bordeaux Export
- 228L Burgundy Export
- 300L Hogshead
Harmony
The Harmony barrel is defined by its attractive aromatics & soft tannin structure, providing a more gentle oak touch. It delivers a sophisticated aromatic lift while maintaining a balanced sweetness, making it the preferred choice for varieties that require elegance & a refined finish.
Available in:
- 225L Bordeaux Export
- 228L Burgundy Export
- 300L Hogshead
Marc Kennel
The Marc Kennel collection is a technical range for winemakers requiring high levels of precision and specific textural results. These vessels are available in various formats and are designed to support a wine's natural character while adding a sophisticated layer of mouthfeel.
Steam Bent
These barrels use an innovative steaming process to shape the staves without the use of direct fire. It provides a creamy texture and supporting structure while keeping the wine’s primary fruit lift completely intact.
By avoiding the charring process, this selection delivers a clean profile free from smoky or toasted notes. This makes it a perfect tool for aromatic white wines and lighter reds that benefit from extra mouthfeel rather than spice.
Available in:
- 225L Bordeaux Export Linear
- 228L Burgundy Export Linear
- 480L Puncheon
Traditional Fire Bent
This option combines the fastidious Marc Kennel timber selection with the proven results of traditional fire bending. It provides the classic framework and grip required for wines that are intended for long term cellaring and steady evolution.
The fire bending process creates a reliable bond between the wood and the wine, adding depth and structural complexity. It is a dependable choice for bold red programs where a traditional backbone and integrated oak character are the primary goals.
Available in:
- 225L Marc Kennel STM
- 228L Marc Kennel STM
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Contact
Your François Treuil Tonnellerie Specialist
Speak to Simon Joy, our François Treuil Tonnellerie specialist, for a personalised product experience. If you have any questions about François Treuil Tonnellerie 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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