Canadell reinvents the art of cooperage

How does your company stay at the forefront of innovation in a sector as competitive as wine?

Wine ageing is undergoing a major transformation. Thanks to our four generations of expertise in French forest management, we have adapted several areas of our business to meet new challenges and respond to the need for elegant, fine, terroir-friendly maturation:

• Wood selection: We choose forests of the highest quality, giving preference to terroirs capable of producing fine, elegant breeding. We are strengthening our team of buyers to cover the whole of France and acquire the best wood species.
• Innovation in our workshops: To meet the demand for fine maturation, we invest in state-of-the-art equipment, guaranteeing the manufacture of elegant, refined barrels and toast.
• Human resources: Managing our teams is a key factor. We make sure we have qualified, motivated and dynamic employees. We automate certain tasks, install anti-noise walls and use exo-skeletons, to strike an optimal balance between work and comfort.
• Resource management: We preserve our raw materials by rigorously managing the wood we use, guaranteeing sustainable production that respects the environment.

How does your company integrate sustainability and ecoresponsibility into its products and innovations? Can you give some concrete examples of this integration?

As stave makers, cooperage and makers of wood for oenology, we manage 100% of the manufacturing process enabling us to reuse and market 100% of the material, which guarantees zero loss of raw material. 

For example, in 2024, Tonnellerie Cadus created a new 100% local barrel, 100% “Made in Burgundy”, made exclusively from parts sourced within a 130 km radius of the cooperage. Cadus has been strengthening its sustainable development policy for many years. As part of its drive to reduce its own carbon footprint, Cadus wanted to offer winegrowers a barrel with the same performance but with an eco-responsible profile. The “47.07” barrel (named after the cooperage's GPS coordinates) was born of this reflection: the cooperage team decided to launch a 100% local barrel, made exclusively with regional suppliers in short circuits. Initial feedback has been extremely enthusiastic. The first 47.07 barrels were produced in June 2024, and a dozen winegrowers and wineries have already placed orders for this year. Buyers include Domaine Françoise André, Maison Albert Bichot, Maison Chanson, Domaine du Château de Mandelo and Cave de Mazenay (71), which acquired the prestigious Pièce de Charité from the Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale in 2023.

How does your product/solution meet the current needs of winegrowers?

The new eco-responsible 47.07 model, made from Burgundy oak and galvanized circles from Saône-et-Loire, is a new proposition that helps winegrowers achieve their sustainable development objectives. By supporting the local economy, Cadus puts the know-how of its workshop and its values at the service of professionals by reducing their CO2 footprint.

What do you see as the next big trends in innovation in viticulture? How is your company preparing for these trends?

Wines have evolved considerably over the years, as have the new generation of consumers, whose expectations are constantly changing. Our partner customers, winemakers all over the world, are revising their aging methods to meet these new demands. That's why our work is part of this dynamic of innovation and adaptation. 

To meet these challenges, we already have several essential elements at our disposal:

• Forest terroir selection: We carefully select forests that offer the best wood qualities, suited to fine, elegant ageing. 
• The use of large-format barrels: These barrels enable complementary ageing, adding complexity and nuance to the wines.
• Adapting the toast: We adjust the toast of our barrels in line with new consumer trends, to respect the unique character of each wine.
• The study of artificial intelligence: We are exploring the use of AI to recommend the most appropriate barrels for each wine, thus optimizing the aging process. 

We are currently in a strategic period for the world of wine and ageing, a real opportunity to evolve and adapt to the new styles and expectations of modern consumers.

Frédéric Canadell - Président