Unique Feature: Everything from a Single Source

What makes FassStolz® barrels so special is the consistent process—everything from tree to barrel is done in-house. It starts with the wood selection: harvested locally and handpicked. The fine-grained oak grows slowly and evenly on colored sandstone and high elevations—a detail that makes all the difference.

Once harvested, the logs are processed at the company’s own sawmill in Bad Dürkheim. Then follows a minimum of 36 months of wood aging before barrel production begins in the in-house cooperage.

Cooperage Craft with Precision

The art of barrel-making lies in the hands of experienced coopers—also known as “Böttcher” or “Fassbinder” in German. With great precision, they turn the carefully selected wood into true quality barrels. A highlight of this process: the toasting. Depending on customer preferences, barrels are toasted to Light, Medium, Medium Plus, or Forte levels.

Toasting Profiles – The Key to Flavor Diversity

 

Every barrel is more than just a vessel for aging—it’s an active partner in shaping flavor. The toasting level significantly influences the final aroma profile of the wine or spirit. FassStolz® offers a variety of toasting levels, tailored to your style and vision.

Light Toasting (without toasted heads)

Ideal for white wines, light rosés, or fruity reds like Pinot Noir. The wood remains subtle, adding complexity and fine, elegant wood aromas without compromising freshness.

Recommended for: Riesling, fruit-forward white wines.

Medium Toasting (with toasted heads)

For structured and deep wines. This toasting level introduces notes of vanilla, cinnamon, caramel, almond, and clove—perfect for wines with aging potential.

Recommended for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, premium blends, or Chardonnay.

Minimum aging recommended: 12 months for optimal integration and flavor/color stability.

Medium Plus Toasting (with toasted heads)

A powerful toast that complements bold and complex wines. Brings out intense notes of toasted bread, toffee, chocolate, and spices.

Recommended for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, Tempranillo, Merlot—and also Burgundy-style Chardonnay.

Aging time: 12–18 months to achieve a balanced harmony of fruit and wood.

Forte Toasting (with toasted heads)

For the heavyweights of wine. Forte means intense toasting with pronounced roasted aromas of coffee, smoke, and robust, spicy wood.

Recommended for: Cabernet Sauvignon, Blaufränkisch, Merlot, Tempranillo, and full-bodied Chardonnays.

Ideal for long maturation periods and powerful, structured wines that can handle and benefit from strong oak influence.

For distillers, various charring options are also available—allowing for customized flavor profiles ranging from vanilla and spices to slightly caramelized notes.

Technical Sophistication & Individuality

Standard barrel sizes range from 100, 200, 228, 300 to 500 liters. A favorite: the 228-liter barrel with 8x hot-dip galvanized hoops. All barrels feature a silicone bung and come with laser engraving detailing the year of production, toasting level, and wood age. We’re also happy to add customer logos or inscriptions on request.

Large Barrels – Volume Meets Craftsmanship

In addition to barriques and smaller sizes, Wilhelm Eder also produces impressive large casks ranging from 600 liters (6 hl) to 10,000 liters (100 hl). These are particularly popular with winemakers and distillers working with large volumes—without compromising quality or individuality. Sustainability is key here, too: these large-format barrels are extremely durable and act as significant CO₂ stores.

Our cooperage blends centuries-old craftsmanship with modern innovation—from traditional barrel-making to precise laser engraving. The result: barrels that are not only functional but also make a visual statement—both in the wine cellar and the tasting room.

We place great value not just on the quality of our barrels but also on their tactile appeal. The careful sanding of each barrel ensures a much smoother handling experience than mass-produced alternatives.

Fresh & Fruity

For especially fresh profiles, we recommend our Fresh & Fruity series—available in 112, 228, and 500 liters. These barrels made of fine-grained oak and acacia impart aromas of honeydew melon and herbs, letting the grape variety shine.

Made with staves of German oak and heads of acacia wood (Robinia pseudoacacia from the Palatinate Forest), these barrels enhance freshness and support fruit character.

Fresh & Fruity is a barrel line specifically designed for white wine aging to highlight the aromatic finesse of this wine type. The combination of wood types—acacia for freshness and floral notes, oak for structure and depth—creates a compelling balance.

Recommended for: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscat, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Pinot Gris, and Riesling.

Barrel Profile:
Structure: Preserves, enhances, and supports the wine’s elegant fruit notes.
Aroma: Light hints of lime, white flowers, fresh and elegant aromatics.

 

Spirit Line – Designed for Your Distillate

A barrel equipped with a double toast for full volume and power!
First, a Medium Plus toast using oak wood fire, followed by a Char IV via gas. Applied to German oak known for its spice and sweetness, these toasting levels provide deep color, bold mouthfeel, and high complexity.

Ideal for aging grain spirits, whiskey, and brandies.

Barrels with Character

 

Today, our wood selection goes far beyond classic oak. The portfolio also includes barrels made from ash, chestnut, mulberry, acacia, walnut, plum, wild cherry, pear, and serviceberry—perfect for those seeking something truly special. (For more info about different wood types in cooperage, check out this blog post – Link)

 

FassStolz® is more than just a name—it’s a promise.
For quality. For sustainability. For true craftsmanship pride.