Tonnellerie Meyrieux,
a history of trust and authenticity

Tonnellerie Meyrieux

History

The Meyrieux cooperage was established in 1991 in the famous wine town of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the heart of Burgundy, just a few kilometres from Beaune. A dynamic family firm focusing on craftsmanship, Tonnellerie Meyrieux perpetuates unique Burgundian expertise in making superb barrels.

In 2010, Tonnellerie Meyrieux became part of Famille Sylvain and was subsequently restructured and modernised for greater efficiency. The cooperage has gained in prestige, while remaining artisanal, with a strong respect for its origins. Famille Sylvain and Tonnellerie Meyrieux share the same values of trust, authenticity, and generosity.

Both are motivated by the never-ending desire to improve quality by combining the best of traditional and modern approaches.

Famille Sylvain

“Famille Sylvain” brand encompasses Tonnellerie Meyrieux, Tonnellerie Sylvain, located near Saint-Emilion, as well as the Foudrerie Marc Grenier, based in Corberon in Burgundy, under one name.

Together, these companies present a full range of barrels, vats and casks. These three companies are motivated to constantly improve the quality of their products by adapting new methods of manufacturing.

Our expertise

A precise oak selection

Le chêne, matière première du tonnelier, est un matériau noble et prestigieux. Nos bois proviennent majoritairement de chênes de forêts françaises, gérées selon des critères de développement durable par l’ONF, qui bénéficient d’une renommée mondiale.

The cooper’s raw material is noble and prestigious. Our oak wood comes in majority from France, from world-renowned state-owned forests managed by the ONF (Office Nationale des Forêts), according to sustainable development principles.

Meyrieux selects their oak according to strict parameters maintained year after year. We choose our suppliers based on their professionalism, reliability, and ability to provide regular shipments of the type of oak we are looking for. A set of specifications has been established to select the very best stave wood. Over the years, a strong relationship has been built up between Meyrieux and their stave wood suppliers, who are well-aware of our demands and criteria.

Traceability procedures are set into motion as soon as the stave wood arrives at the cooperage. The origin of the oak is known at every stage of production in order to have maximum control over our raw material.

A unique outdoor seasoning

Upon delivery, the staves are 100% controlled. They are then manually stacked so as to allow for optimum drying.

This process of aging the wood is unique and provides a uniform and natural drying in the open air. This method allows each stave to receive optimal exposure to the natural elements that will «wash» the wood of his excess bitter tannins.

The chimney effect favours a perfect ventilation of the pile, while minimizing the staves crossing surfaces.

Despite the undeniable advantages of this traditional method, it is rarely used because of the time and space it requires.

Tonnellerie Meyrieux is one of few remaining cooperages perpetuating this mode of ageing staves.

A traditional toasting

Our toasting, carried out on a bed of coals with an open flame, are traditionally slow and penetrating to reveal the subtle aromas of wood.

Thanks to their considerable experience, Tonnellerie Meyrieux has developed unique toasts adapted to different types of oak and different grape varieties.

Blonde (+/- 50 min)

A soft toasting that gives a woodiness bringing structure to powerful grape varieties.

Medium (+/- 70 min)

An intermediate toast for a great respect of the fruit.

À cœur (+/- 90 min, low heat)

A very penetrating to develop sweetness and slightly toasty notes.

Max (+/- 90 min, feu vif)

A powerful toasting that allows a beautiful polymerisation of tannins and the development of roasted notes (toast, coffee, etc.).

The range

Premier cru	Tradition	Grand sélection	Murmure	Biodynamie
Origin
Blend of French oak	Blend of French oak	Blend of French oak	Blend of French oak	Selection of French oak trees felled in winter exclusively during the waning moon, according to the lunar calendar, on flower or fruit days
Grain				Process
Medium to tight	Medium to tight	Tight	Medium to tight	All steps (cutting down, splitting, assembling, and toasting) are carried out on a flower or fruit day.
Oak seasoning
2/3	3/3	2/3	3/3	On a vegetalized wood lot
Benefits
Aromatic and structured with a rapid influence of wood	Discreet range elegantly supporting the expression of wines of character, recommended for long aging	Range revealing a nice tension with a very fine wood influence	A range crafted to gently whisper to the white grape varieties. «Murmure» subtly supports the natural expression of the fruit, enhancing it with discretion.	A range that enhances the wine’s fruit expression, crafted from biodynamically grown grapes, highlighting its aromatic complexity and the distinctive character of its terroir

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