Professions in wine
The Chef of LafiteProfessions in wine : The cooperage
Barrel makers (or coopers) from the Domaines's cooperage craft the barrels which hold the wine over many months of ageing. Great care in manufacturing the barrels plays a major role in the wine's ageing.
Due to the technical aspects involved in manufacturing the barrels, the cooper has a major responsibility, and is passionate about his work. Selecting lumber and sorting it during crafting, preparation of the staves, and precision assembly are the keys to our barrels' quality.
The Domaine's cooperage is located at Pauillac. By Médoc tradition, there has always been a cooperage at Lafite. The current team is composed of five barrel makers who work year round to produce 2,000 barrels, used in the various properties of the group.
Oak wood is selected in the great Allier and Nivernais forests, then left to dry in the open air for two years at Lafite, before being crafted. This independence allows us to control the geographical origin of the wood, the quality of its drying, as well as toasting during assembly, which can confer a specific taste to the wine, depending on its quality.
