Q: Can you handle special orders?
A: Absolutely yes, contact us with your specifications and we'll do the rest. We require 6-8 weeks for special and/or customized orders.
Q: How soon can I get the product when I order?
A: It depends on the sizes of your products and the quantity of your order. Most of the time, 5-14 business days after your payment has cleared. shipping policy
Q: What about returning an order or exchanging a product?
A: We will return or exchange within 14 days of receipt of merchandise. We do not accept returns or exchanges on customized orders.
Q: I am a first time buyer of my oak barrel. Do I have to prepare my oak barrel for my home vintage. How?
A: Now that you have received your oak barrel, the first thing you must do before adding wine or spirits is to cure the barrel. To cure your barrel you must add at least a cup of water or completely fill through the bung hole, then place the bung back in, so the barrel is air tight. At this point rotate the barrel as to move the water in the barrel to find any leaks. Allow the water to stand in that position for a couple of hours, or until the barrel swells,checking for leaks every few hours. The water expands to close leaks in between the staves and are moistening the barrel. When your barrel is cured, add wine or spirits and begin the aging process!
Q: How do I preserve my oak barrel?
A: The best way to care for your barrel is to keep it from drying out. When a barrel dries out it is no longer any good for aging. So, always keep your wine barrel moist, at all times. Also, keep the oak barrel away from elements such as: humidity,dryness, AC vents blowing cold air, the sun's rays and rain. Keep your barrel indoors. Again, always keep your barrel moist.
Q: Why is oak used for wine barrels?
A:Oak wine barrels have long been used as containers in which wine is aged. Aging in oak typically imparts desirable vanilla, butter and spice flavors to wine.
American oak tends to be more intensely flavored then French oak with more sweet and vanilla overtones due to American oak having two to four times as many lactones. Winemakers that prefer American oak typically use them for bold, powerful reds or warm climate Chardonnays.
