About Us
The essence of Slavonian forest in the barrel...
ABOUT US
Our barrel making process begins in a centuries old Slavonian oak forest where we choose the best trees from these lushes and sun-drenched timber, using sustainably grown and well-managed practices.
The oak timber used for our barrels is hand-picked and we confidently vouch for our timber source, taking the time to acclimatize our timber for proper stave seasoning, perfecting what nature has already taken its time to deliver.
Stave aging is controlled by our master coopers and the surrounding micro-climate, which keeps our wood at the same climatic conditions it was grow, giving our barrels unmatched consistency and quality.
ABOUT US
The greatest value of the auric barrels comes from the combination of high-quality types of Slavonian splendiferous oak and superior barrel-making technology.
Although many other coopers procure logs from other parts of Europe, we nurture our own forest, striving to weave the terroir attributes of Slavonian oak into wine barrels. The abundance of properly matured, 120-year-old trees, grown in a private forest (covering more than 15,000 ha), enables us to build adequate lumber stocks which are optimally acclimatized and aged for at least 24 months in the same climatic and environmental conditions.
Technology
The unique methodology for making barrels from 100% Slavonian oak trees rests on the following:
Tree Source
Trees sourced from a known micro-location – the Slavonian oak forest privately owned by auric barrels
Wood Seasoning
Wood seasoning in identical climatic conditions – at low stress levels making lumber more durable
Timber transport
Timber transport with minimal energy consumption and without a carbon footprint – the cooperage is in the immediate vicinity of the forest
Strict Selection
Strict selection of staves by grain tightness and color – allowing the creation of consistent and repeatable barrels in terms of aromatics and characteristics
Slavonian oak wood
Making barrels from 100% known Slavonian oak wood – authenticity guaranteed
Augmenting aromatics
Scrap wood recycling in the toasting process – augmenting identical aromatics
Toasting
The process of toasting using an open fire with digital parameters – aromatic structure traceability
About The Slavonian Oak
SLAVONIC OAK
Although Croatia is not very known as a barrel making region, its present-day territory is covered in thick oak forests, hosting Slavonian oak exploited also by other countries.
Slavonia is a low-lying and fertile region in Croatia famous for its forests, with a high density of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur). Owing to its impressive growth rate and larger trunk size, this oak has high oxygenation rates, which is why these oak barrels are typically found in older Italian wineries. These slow-growing sessile oak forests were mostly privately owned and sustainably managed for centuries, keeping the Slavonian version of sessile oak from overexploitation.
Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY
We operate in sync with nature, and only harvest the special wood that has to bare. For that reason, we can also offer small batches of specific harvest barrels in limited quantities because of what we can proudly hold the title of a boutique cooperage.
The exquisite craftsmanship of our coopers, paired with leading-edge technology, facilitates the making of large-size oak vats, and increases our toasting capabilities.
Auric barrels boast a unique alliance of exceptional natural potential offered by the century-old, well-maintained Slavonian oak forest, a high-tech and ultra-modern barrel manufacturing plant, and extensive know-how of not only barrel making but also of winemaking.
PHILOSOPHY
Responsible management of auric's forests in combination with the proximity of the timber source and manufacturing facilities, have played their part in contributing to what is today commonly known as a traceability.
The exquisite craftsmanship of our coopers, paired with leading-edge technology, facilitates the making of large-size oak vats, and increases our toasting capabilities.
LOCATION
Croatia
Croatia is not very known as a barrel making region, although its present-day territory is covered in thick oak forests, hosting Slavonian oak exploited also by other countries.
Slavonia is a low-lying and fertile region in Croatia famous for its forests, with a high density of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur).
TOGGLE MAP VIEW
Europe
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Croatia
