In 1999 the Francois group purchased 50% of Trust International, an American company that started to make barrels and staves in Hungary after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Since 1999 the Francois group has puts money and know-how into the company and the results are terrific. Why??

1. The same species of oak found in France are found in Hungary.
2. The Francois family does not have to re-invent the wheel when it helps others to make better barrels.
3. Costs of production are lower in Hungary and the savings are passed on to you.


If I have any worries about this project it is that we will become too successful. There is only so much oak in Hungary so perhaps our next stage is the Governator barrels-barrels from our governor\'s homeland??

2010 FRANCOIS FRERES HUNGARY PRICES:

This year we are introducing a new barrel we have named ‘The Max’ after Francois Freres’s illustrious sales manager, Max Gigandet. Since the wood comes from a forest near Austria, we were going to call it the ‘Arnold’ but given California’s economy we decided to honor Max instead.  Max’s expertise in these matters combined with Jean Francois’ brilliant knowledge of toasting (‘noisette’)  combined with my insistence on  three year air drying have really shaped the creation of this barrel. Think about it: now you can maximize your wine’s pleasure with the Max!

Barrel description:         Less than container:            Container:

The Max:
Export or thin stave                   $705                                       $685
Burgundy                                   $705                                       $685
265 L                                          $750                                      $720

Bordeaux:
225 Liter Export                         $655                                        $620
225 Liter export thin stave        $670                                         $635
Chateau Tradition                      $750                                         $720
Chateau Ferre                           $730                                         $695

Burgundy:
228 Liter export                        $655                                          $620
228 Liter Traditional                  $715                                          $695 
228 L Prestige Pinot                  $725                                          $695

Larger Sizes:
265 Liter                                     $695                                          $660
300 Liter                                     $775                                          $750
400 Liter                                     $900                                          $870
500 Liter                                     $1035                                        $975

There is a $30 up charge for three year old wood. This up charge will be waived for barrels ordered by March 15. There is an additional $15 discount for barrels delivered by June 15.
 

As always, barrel prices are FOB warehouse Napa.  Container prices include delivery for wineries in California.  There is an up charge for container delivery to wineries in Oregon and Washington.

Order deadlines for Hungarian barrels:
Summer delivery: May 1
Early Fall delivery: June 1
Late Fall delivery: July 15

Our sales of Hungarian barrels climb dramatically every year. Demand is beginning to outstrip our ability to supply so act promptly.  Indeed we have added somebody to Team Mel who will deal exclusively with these barrels. Jim Moore worked at Mondavi for twenty years and he and I have made wines in these barrels, so he will be your go-to man in California for these barrels. You can reach Jim at Uvaggio@napanet.net or call him at 707-529-4209.