Zebra Barrels?

[Atilla_Telli]

Hello Everyone,

I discovered this board only a couple weeks ago thanks to Tony Velebil and Ken Zinns and enjoyed lurking ever since. I wish my first post was a contribution rather than a question but I promise to make it up in good time.

I have a brand new barrel and a neutral one. I would like someone to take them apart and put them together as 50% new/ 50% neutral (a Zebra Barrel). I do not want to attempt it myself but am willing to pay for someone to do it for me. Any leads in Northern CA?

Thanks,

Atilla

[Ken_Zinns]

Hi Atilla, and welcome to the board!

Crushpad is the only place I’ve seen that uses these “Zebra” barrels. IIRC, they may actually have a patent on them. I’m not sure who they use to do the work on the barrels, but you should be able to contact someone at Crushpad for more info. Hope that helps.

[Atilla_Telli]

Thanks, Ken.

I tried Crushpad already. Have a lead in Napa (Enrique at Napa Barrel Repair) but this will be his first time!

Atilla

[john_holdredge]

I dont get it. Why wouldnt you barrel both seperately and at year end blend in proportions to achieve the flavor profile you desire rather than making an irrevocable 50/50 decision before you even make the wine?

[Linda_Baehr]

@john holdredge

I dont get it. Why wouldnt you barrel both seperately and at year end blend in proportions to achieve the flavor profile you desire rather than making an irrevocable 50/50 decision before you even make the wine?

Maybe he only has one barrel worth of wine?

[M_Sai]

@Linda Baehr

@john holdredge

I dont get it. Why wouldnt you barrel both seperately and at year end blend in proportions to achieve the flavor profile you desire rather than making an irrevocable 50/50 decision before you even make the wine?

Maybe he only has one barrel worth of wine?

Exactly. This is why Crushpad does it - many of their customers only have one barrel of wine at a time (me included), so zebra barrels are the only way to go.

[john_holdredge]

@Linda Baehr

@john holdredge

I dont get it. Why wouldnt you barrel both seperately and at year end blend in proportions to achieve the flavor profile you desire rather than making an irrevocable 50/50 decision before you even make the wine?

Maybe he only has one barrel worth of wine?

then why buy two barrels, esp with the cost of a new barrel? Why not get a spiffy one year old barrel?

[Eric_Lundblad]

I agree about using once used barrels. Not practical for Crushpad cuz of their scale, but for smaller folks they’re great.

And…welcome to the board Atilla.

[Steve_Eisenhauer]

Or go to Commerce Corner here and check out AP Vin’s offer.

[Andrew_P_Vingiello]

@Steve Eisenhauer

Or go to Commerce Corner here and check out AP Vin’s offer.

Yeh Atilla! I’m right down the street and you know the barrels!

Welcome…ya berserker!

Andrew

[Atilla_Telli]

Thanks for your comments and the warm welcome everyone. The harvest work swallowed me up, hence the late response.

You guessed it absolutely right, I was hoping to buy a half ton of grapes from 2 separate vineyards (totaling a ton) and make a single barrel of each. Since my post however I decided to buy a “plus-sized” ton from just one source and make 3 barrels. So my days chasing a Zebra barrel are over. These days I am chasing a once-used Dargaud & Jaegle barrel instead.