The Vinification Integrale® concept

An opening which allows easy filling of berries into barrel. Delicate extraction of the skins by rotation of the barrel.

Quest for quality

Vinification Integrale®, the original, by Tonnellerie Baron.

Several experiments exist for the vinification of red grape varieties in barrels. Numerous methods have been used: upright barrels with heads removed, horizontal barrels with the grapes inserted through the bung hole, use of special barrels with modified bung holes, etc.

Thanks to OXOline® racks which allow barrels to be rotated and handled separately, Tonnellerie Baron has developed «Vinification Intégrale®» complete vinification. This technique allows the harvested grapes to be properly placed in the barrels and all the classic vinification operations can be carried out without the expense of sending barrels out for modification, or bringing coopers in to perform specialized services.

In this way, the entire vinification process takes place in the barrel and the aromatic potential of the grapes is completely preserved, all with a very limited investment.

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Difference and respect of grapes

Why ferment red grapes in barrel ?

The method gives wines which are rounder, have more volume, more fat, more complexity, are more precise aromatically, and have a silkier finish.

In addition to the more rapid integration of oak into the young wine, this small vessel method of fermenting gives a more gentle extraction with the quasi-permanent immersion of the marc.

This infusion is directly linked to the shape of the barrel and may only be obtained in the case of a barrel placed horizontally. Finally, the rotation of the barrel during fermentation allows continual suspension of the lees, giving fat and silky tannins to the wine.

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Vinification Integrale in practice.

A simple and inexpensive method.

Many Châteaux and Wineries, from small local estates to world renown Châteaux have been able to experiment with the Vinification Intégrale® system.

Whether a small experiment or in great quantity, producers have good reasons to use the system ; building a new cellar, creating a special cuvee, multiple selections within a parcel, or simply the desire to bring more richness to their blends.

The sum of this experience, rich in education, has enabled the system to evolve. We have developed this line of accessories to allow the maximum simplification of this type of vinification, and to decrease the cost. Vinification Intégrale® is now a method which can be utilized in diverse winery configurations: filling the barrels by gravity after a sorting table, filling by pump, cellars without air conditioning etc…

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