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 Story: TAVA 750L Ceramic Amphorae in Margaux at Château Durfort-Vivens

Tava

Located in Mori Trentino, Italy, since 2010 Tava has been crafting technical ceramic amphora for winemaking. Produced from a patented mixture of local clay, the ceramic amphorae are fired at a temperature that results in a consistent 5% porosity, the same as on new oak barrels. The firing temperature can also reach a 2.5% porosity for whites or lighter reds that would benefit from a slower micro-oxidation. Tava amphora are found in: 320L, 750L, 1250L, 1600L or 2500L.









Ceramic for winemaking

Tava crafts ceramic amphora solely for winemaking with the most winemaker friendly of accessories and options. Since its inception in 2010, the classic "amphora" shape available in 320L, 750L, and 1600L. The 1600L can be equipped with a side hatch; it has been used both by white and red producers across the world.



NEW! Monolite Tank

Pressed by customers to offer an even larger ceramic tank that can be used both for fermenting and aging inside of, Tava responded. The 1250L and 2500L. Monolite tank's "tulip" conical shape allows for optimal cap extraction for fermenting reds inside but can also be used for fermenting and aging whites.




Château Durfort - Vivens

Located in Margaux on the Left Bank and recognized as a Second Classified Growth in 1855, the Château is now part of the Lurton family. The estate is now double certified in bio and biodynamic. The first wine consists of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Cabernet. Since 2017, the Château's first wine is aged for 18 months in 70% new 225L oak barrels and 30% 750L Tava ceramic amphora, of which the Château collection now numbers over 200 of them.



Why incorporate Tava Ceramic Amphora?


Margaux and Bordeaux producers may be the last place you would expect to find Tava ceramic amphorae, but the Château are finding their contribution essential to expressing the purity of its local and historic terroir, and adding a freshness and vibrancy while maintaining it's old world winemaking style.



Château Durfort Vivens transitioned to using Tava ceramic amphora for three main reasons:


  • Reduce the amount of SO2 and sulfites added during the aging stage of their wines

  • Preserve the fruit and freshness in the wine 

  • Aesthetic beauty and harmony inside of the cellar






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

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