To offer exceptional quality and consistent oak alternative products that lend great oak integration, build structure, soften mouthfeel and contribute desired aromatics and flavors for both fermentations and aging.
Alternatives
Our Process
At Epocure Stave Co. we source logs from select forests in France and the United States to produce our barrel staves and oak alternative products.
From milling to packaging, our vertical integration ensures quality control over the entire process of our oak alternative production.
Epocure alternatives are produced from the same, minimum 24 month seasoned wood that goes into our barrel program and are compliant with food health regulations. This includes AENOR & ISO certifications pursuant to the chain of custody of forest based products (PEFC).
ORIGIN GUARANTEE
The wood used in our alternative program comes from the same wood for our Epocure barrel program. This guarantees total traceability and ensures the highest quality of raw material. After our logs are milled, 40% is used for barrel staves, 40% for the alternative program, and the remaining 20% is recycled.
GRANULES 
Fragments of oak with a size between 2mm – 5mm, with fast extraction due to their size. Ideal for fermentation and flashing to help build mouth feel, stabilize color and reduce green characteristics.
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Fermentation
Vinification
Natura
Classic
Intense
TECHNICAL DATA
SIZE: 2mm – 5mm
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Fermentation
WEIGHT AND FORMAT: 22lb/10kg polypropylene infusion bag
PACKAGING: Food grade, metallic, waterproof bag
CHIPS
Epocure chips are high impact in terms of flavors and aromas yet lend an elegant and soft mouth feel. Our 24 month seasoning coupled with consistent convection toasting, lend complex flavors and aromas to your wine.
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Fermentation
Maturation
Vinification
1 Week
Classic
Intense
Dark
TECHNICAL DATA
SIZE: 5mm – 20mm
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak, American Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Tank fermentation & maturation
WEIGHT AND FORMAT: 22lb/10kg polypropylene infusion bag
PACKAGING: Food grade, metallic, waterproof bag
SEGMENTS
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Fermentation
Maturation
Vinification
6 Weeks
Classic
Intense
Dark
TECHNICAL DATA
SIZE: Average size L: 50mm, W: 30mm – 80mm, H: 20mm
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak, American Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Tank fermentation & maturation
WEIGHT AND FORMAT: 22 lb/10 kg polypropylene infusion bag
PACKAGING: Food grade, metallic, waterproof bag
FAN STAVES
Our fan staves yield a large and complex range of aromatics and flavors depending on your toasting options and combinations. This easy to install system gives control to the wine maker when trying to achieve specific aromatics, flavors, and mouth feel.
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Fermentation
Maturation
Vinification
12 Weeks
Natura
Classic
Intense
Dark
TECHNICAL DATA
SURFACE AREA: 1.14ft² per stave
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak, American Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Tank fermentation & maturation
PACKAGING: 24 staves packed in food grade, metallic, waterproof bag
EPOC STAVES
Epoc staves are 27mm tank staves that are produced from barrel staves that have been culled out at the very end of the coopering process. They are intended for long term maturation that mimic that of a barrel. The building of structure, mouthfeel and integration of flavors are second only to a barrel. Intended for premium wines, our Epoc staves can help bring your wine to the next level of quality for a fraction of the cost.
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Fermentation
Maturation
Vinification
26 Weeks
Natura
Classic
Intense
Dark
TECHNICAL DATA
SURFACE AREA: 1.7ft² per stave (full length, 27mm thick barrel staves)
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Tank fermentation & maturation
PACKAGING: 9 staves packed in food grade, metallic, waterproof bag
HEAD INSERTS
Epocure head inserts are a barrel replica program, by installing through the head of your current neutral barrels. They are installed in a manner that promote standard cleansing practices and are out of the way for stirring lees and toping. They will help build structure and mouthfeel while contributing flavors and aromas of your choosing based on our selection of toasting profiles. Each system yields approximately 65% new barrel equivalent.
STAGE OF
USE
MINIMUM
CONTACT TIME
AVAILABLE
TOAST
Maturation
12 Weeks
Classic
Intense
Dark
TECHNICAL DATA
SURFACE AREA: 14ft² per set
OAK: PEFC Certified French Oak
DRYING: 24 months open air seasoning
TOASTING: Convection
APPLICATION: Maturation in neutral barrel (requires barrel head removal for installation)
PACKAGING: 24 half staves on food grade poly rod (stainless steel screws included)
available toast
Natura toast
AROMATIC PROFILE 
- Subtle toast
- Promotes fruit expression
- Moderate oak tannins
- Builds structure and mouthfeel
Classic toast
AROMATIC PROFILE
- Adds volume and sweetness
- Toasty, sweet French oak
- Aromas of vanilla, caramel and toffee
Intense toast
AROMATIC PROFILE
- Aromatics of roasted coffee, chocolate and baking spices
- Adds weight, balance and roundness
- Dark fruit flavors such as cherry and black currant
Dark toast
AROMATIC PROFILE 
- Robust overall toast impact
- Aromas of dark chocolate, mocha and sweet smokey notes
- Adds structure, texture and weight
Epocure Stave Co.
TRACEABILITY OF THE OAK
1
PURCHASE OF THE TRUNKS AT ORIGIN
2
THE WOOD IS ENTIRELY PROCESSED ON THE EPOCURE CAMPUS
3
CLEANING AND MACHINING
4
PRECISION TOASTING
AND LATER PACKAGED IN WATERPROOF BAGS
THAT PREVENT THE ABSORPTION OF ODORS OR MOISTURE AND MAINTAIN THE NATURAL PROPERTIES OF THE WOOD
PEFC CERTIFICATE
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is a worldwide, non-government, independent and non-profit entity that promotes sustainable forest management to achieve social, economic and environmental equilibrium.
MILLING
Our laser cutting and fragmentation system minimizes dust and achieves high quality cut surfaces.
TOASTING
Our unique convection toasting is carried out in a controlled, uniform and even manner that can be reproduced and enables specific aromatic notes and flavors.
PACKAGING
Our packaging is specifically designed and presented in high quality, water-tight bags composed of metallic PE-ALU bags. Our infusion products come in highly resistant, food-grade, poly infusion bags.
