Supplier Spotlight: European Cooperages Hungary
- maria9750
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
With the first days of summer upon us, we would like to share some information about our premium 100% Hungarian Oak barrels, made by European Coopers Hungary; the third largest cooperage in Hungary.
European Coopers Hungary is completely vertically integrated, with direct control of sourcing and production, from the forest to splitting, seasoning, and toasting. Managing every step of the process to ensure quality and consistency.
European Coopers Hungary - History
European Coopers Hungary was founded in 1997 by Master Cooper Kristóf Flódung together with renowned representatives of the Italian wine industry including Piero Antinori from Tuscany's Marchesi Antinori, Eugenio Gamba from Piemonte's Botti Gamba and Jacopo Mazzei from Tuscany's Marchesi Mazzei. The goal of European Coopers Hungary was to produce 100% Hungarian oak premium barrels for noble Italian wines.
European Coopers Hungary - Today
European Coopers Hungary produces roughly 2,500 barrels a year at their Southern Hungary facility located in Palotabozsok near the Mecsek oak forest. Since its' inception of coopering barrels meant for noble Italian wines, the cooperage has expanded production for export markets and employs a team of 10 coopers. Kristóf oversees all technical aspects of the cooperage while Dr. Katalin Pintacsi overseas daily activities.
Marchesi Antinori
Represents one of Italy's oldest and most prestigious wine producers, with a winemaking legacy dating back to 1385. The Antinori family has played a pivotal role in the evolution of Italian wine, especially through their innovations in Tuscany. They are well known for iconic wines such as Tignanello and Solaia, which helped pioneer the Super Tuscan movement. Today, the company is led by the 26th generation, continuing to balance tradition with modern viticulture.
Badia a Passignano & European Coopers Hungary
The Marchesi Antinori Badia a Passignano estate is nestled in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico region and only 3 km south of Tenuta Tignanello. The historic terroir has long been particularly well-suited to the cultivation of Sangiovese. Post primary and malolactic fermentation, the wine is partially aged in new 300L European Coopers Hungarian oak puncheons made from a blend of Hungarian Tokay and Mecsek oak.
Hungarian oak is the same Quercus Petraea oak species as French oak. However, the growing terroir of Hungary is different than that of France and contributes to a slightly darker, richer and more "Christmas" spice character in comparison to French Oak that suites elegant and noble red wines.
With EUROPEAN COOPERS HUNGARY barrel and puncheon stock currently in inventory and more on the water, please enquire below if interested or reach out to your Bouchard Cooperages point of contact.
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