Gordon 'poping' the hoops off the barrelI would like to introduce you to Gordon Moore. Gordon has been a cooper for over 40 years, and has been coming to see us every year around this time to prepare our old oak barrels for a new vintage. Gordon works by him self and travels around Australia offering his Coopers services to wineries.
Gordon has come today to shave off the 'top skin' of the barrel. After we have aged red wine in the barrels for one to two years the inside of the barrel is stained from the wine and no longer permiates an oak into the wine. In order to breath new life into the barrels we shave off the top layer and it is 'as good as new'. We use these second hand barrels for our premium wines, while all super premium wines are placed into new oak every year.
One of the staves after Gordon has shaved the top layer off.
Cooperage is a craft that has been around for many centuries. The craft has changed little since its invention which means it is a labour intense job and not very inviting to the younger generation.
If you are visiting the Barossa I recommend you visit The Keg Factory, they sell a variety of different barrels and depending on when you visit you can see the Coopers in the workshed producing a range of products for port barrels to cheese platters.
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