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About ReCoop Barrels

Since 1989, ReCoop Barrels, set among the vineyards of Sonoma County California, has been coordinating efforts with the local wine community to help reduce the wasteful elimination of wine barrels. Using our patented reconditioning process for over 20 years, our customers have benefitted from the reuse of a sustainable product while providing jobs for local residents. All barrels are skillfully remanufactured by our employees. No robots allowed just good old fashion USA ingenuity.

An early innovator in reconditioning wine barrels; ReCoop Barrels was one of the first cooperages in California Wine Country to use specially engineered machines. Our patented machinery planes the wood with the grain, removing 1/4 of the interior, ensuring all wine-penetrated wood is removed. Our process of planing with the grain (not cross-cutting) is used to achieve the utmost flavor from the oak and optimize the oxygenation benefits. A smooth interior finish allows for uniform toasting, revealing flavors of creamy vanilla, sweet toffee and butterscotch, to spicy undertones of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg, or, a mild to rich smokiness, depending on your toast specifications, the original cooperage, and oak forest/region.

We take special care to select only barrels that pass our inspection process. ReCoop hand picks the best barrels from premier wineries that follow proven barrel maintenance programs. And, we adhere to stringent guidelines to ensure sanitation of the barrel is preserved.

Let us help reduce operating costs and your environmental footprint with a green alternative to a new barrel; either through the purchase of reconditioned barrels, or by reconditioning your existing barrels.

ReThink, ReUse, ReCoop.

We are proud to offer a 100% sustainable recycled product.

About ReCoop Barrels

Our History

ReCoop Barrels, a Sonoma County-based company, specializes in reconditioning wine barrels, offering a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to the traditional practice of retiring and replacing barrels with new oak. This process is not only economically advantageous but also maximizes the utility of the oak, a valuable resource in winemaking that is becoming more scarce and costly.

The effectiveness of ReCoop's patented method lies in its meticulous approach to restoring barrels. Unlike conventional methods such as steaming and power washing, which can push wine sediment deeper into the wood grain and clog pores, ReCoop's process involves carefully removing a precise thickness (between 1/4” and 5/8”) of the barrel's inner surface. This precision ensures that all wine-soaked material is eliminated, maintaining the wood's integrity and allowing it to continue imparting flavor which is the main reason we use barrels to begin with.

Our Products

Steaming and power washing, while common, are less effective for several reasons. These methods can force wine residues deeper into the wood, reducing the barrel's ability to contribute desirable characteristics to the wine. Furthermore, these methods don't remove the penetrated wood, potentially leading to off flavors due to remnants of the previous contents.

In contrast, ReCoop's patented process includes an additional step of toasting the newly exposed wood. This toasting is conducted with controlled infrared burners, ensuring an even and precise toast that enhances the wood's aromatic qualities. The controlled toasting is superior to traditional center fire pit toasting, offering customizable levels (medium, medium-plus, and heavy) to suit different winemaking requirements.

Our Craftsmanship

The sustainability aspect of ReCoop's method is significant. By extending the life of oak barrels, the need for new barrels is reduced, lowering the demand for oak and thereby preserving forest resources. This practice aligns with contemporary environmental concerns, offering a practical solution to reduce waste and promote resource efficiency in the wine industry.

ReCoop's expertise, gained over 40 years in barrel reconditioning, along with their specialized machinery and patented process, sets them apart in the industry. Their approach ensures that the maximum potential of each barrel is harnessed, offering winemakers a high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to new oak barrels.