Burning Barrel

1 Jul 2019


Rick DeFerrari builds oak barrels for aging wine and whiskey

Rick DeFerrari aims a heat gun at the barrel, then adds more hunks of oak to the crackling fire that is, slowly, toasting the inside of the wine barrel.

DeFerrari, who owns Oregon Barrel Works in McMinnville, is a master cooper, which means he builds oak barrels for aging wine and whiskey.

He demonstrated the process from start to finish in the courtyard at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center.

DeFerrari’s visit to Baker City, along with Andrew Beckham from Beckham Estate Vineyards in Sherwood, was part of a day-long event titled “Barrel and Vessel: The Art of Aging Wine.”

Read full article