Born and raised in Burgundy, Eric Millard studied at CFPPA Beaune and then refined his craft at Francois Freres. Following his time there, he moved to the historic Latour Cooperage where he spent nearly 3 decades as production lead and head cooper, tasting barrels he made on everything from Chevalier Montrachet to Le Chambertin.
In 2018, Eric struck out on his own and started his own cooperage, La Fabrique Eric Millard. Producing nearly five barrels a day by his own hand, Eric aims to connect with the mind and body with his barrels. Truly a small family business, La Fabrique is run by Eric and his daughter Manon.
The stave composite of our 2021 Mahoney Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir Single Barrel Eric Millard barrel consists mostly of Jupilles and Western/Loire forest stave wood, from the center of France. All of the Millard barrel toasts are low and long, with this special single barrel being a 4.5 hour toast, and custom water-pans bring hydration to the barrel during the toasting process. A "sarcophagus" (metal covering with ports for off-gassing) is employed in the back half of the barrel, when the brasero fire has burned to coals to gently convert the polysaccharides (wood sugar) for a very gentle oak treatment.
These barrels aim to create a very gentle oak treatment for the wine and does not overpower the fruit.
