Art du Tonneau

Our concept is unique in France!
A fun, participative workshop, ideal for your seminars or family outings to develop teamwork in a very friendly spirit.

We can cater for individuals or groups.
We can adapt the duration to suit your schedule.

You can discover cooperage in our workshop or at a location of your choice:
- We can welcome you in our workshop, 5 minutes from Beaune in the commune of Vignoles.
- We have also selected some very special locations in the middle of the vineyards in the communes of Volnay and Pommard, or in a historic site: Les Remparts des Hospices Civils de la ville de Beaune, under the overhang of the old vat house (location subject to hire).
- We travel all over France.
- Our services can be provided in English and German, by prior arrangement.

Our events take place in 3 stages:

Stage 1:
The first part of our event will introduce you to the history of cooperage, from the time of the Gauls to the present day. We'll show you how our barrels are made, from choosing the oak trees to woodworking. You'll discover the benefits of the barrel thanks to the shaping of the staves and micro-oxygenation. We'll explain why barrels are an enduring global market.

Step 2:
After giving you a demonstration and explaining the key points of assembly, you will learn how to assemble a Burgundy barrel in teams of 3 to 5. The aim is to assemble a 228-litre barrel, set it upright, tighten it and roll it. It's all about teamwork! Please note that the game may be timed and marked. You'll go home with a souvenir photo.

Stage 3:
After this team-building session, we'll explain the heating process and you'll discover how the barrel is given its final shape. You'll be able to understand the different firing times and the aromas that will be released by the wood. You'll be able to discover the partnership between the winemaker and the cooper, the marriage between the origin of the wood and the cooper's touch during toasting, which will complement each other in the process of maturing the wine.

We'll explain how we work the hull so that we can receive the bottoms, with a demonstration of how it's put in place. We will then discuss the finishing and use of the barrel before answering your questions.

Our events can be adapted to suit your programme. We can offer full-day or half-day events for parties and events. For team building or company seminars, we can also prepare an Olympiad just for you!

Prices and times: The dates of public events will be announced on our social networks, or contact us to arrange a public workshop.