The finest Pinot Noir from around the world are produced almost exclusively in French Oak barrels. French oak has the tightest grain of any commercially available oak trees anywhere. The French government owns and maintains the forests, and selects trees of at least 150 years of age, which are sold at auction twice a year. Merrandiers (foresters) purchase the trees, and fabricate barrel staves (merrain) in their stave–making shop (fabrique), from their best quality trees. Normally, these merrain are then sold to tonnelliers (coopers), who store the wood in their yards for eight to 14 months, and then make the barrels to fill orders from various wineries around the world.
Emeritus Vineyards, virtually alone in its practice, takes ownership of the merrain at the fabrique and seasons the wood in the merrandier’s yard for three years. Every six months the staves are rotated and restacked to expose all the staves to the elements so that all staves receive the full benefit of extended air–seasoning—leaching the harsh resins and other impurities from the wood. The merrain are then shipped to the tonnelliers, who produce the barrels in accordance with Emeritus’s exacting specifications.
