European Coopers Ltd. was founded in 1997 by master cooper Kristóf Flódung, with the support of leading figures of the Italian wine industry, such as Marchese Piero Antinori, Eugenio Gamba, and Jacopo Mazzei.
- Positive environmental footprint
- Present in 20+ countries
- Over 25 years in business
European Coopers Ltd. was founded in 1997 by master cooper Kristóf Flódung, with the support of leading figures of the Italian wine industry, such as Marchese Piero Antinori, Eugenio Gamba, and Jacopo Mazzei.
From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to craft premium-quality oak barrels for the maturation of the finest wines.
Our cooperage is located in Palotabozsok, Southern Hungary, a village with centuries of barrel-making tradition. The expertise and passion of the local coopers ensure outstanding quality.
- Positive environmental footprint
- Present in 20+ countries
- Over 25 years in business
At our company, we manage a fully integrated production process, from selecting the oak trees, through splitting and seasoning the staves, to testing the finished barrels – every step is carried out in-house under continuous professional supervision. This production model guarantees that each of our barrels represents consistent excellence. Today, demand for our barrique barrels extends worldwide. More and more prestigious wineries, including the renowned Marchesi Antinori estates in Italy, choose to age their wines in our barrels from Palotabozsok.
Our partners
A Európai Kádárok Kft. ma már az egész világon jelen van, hordóink a legjobb magyar tölgyből készülnek és megbízható partnereink révén jutnak el a borászatokhoz. A palotabozsoki üzemünkben készült barrique hordók olyan klasszikus borvidékekre is eljutnak, mint Olaszország, Spanyolország, Ausztria, Franciaország, Ausztrália, DélAfrika, Chile, az Egyesült Államok (Kalifornia) és ÚjZéland. Ez az exportlista jól mutatja, hogy a magyar tölgy egyedülálló minőségét világszerte értékelik.
Production Process
Raw Material Selection
Our barrels are crafted exclusively from sessile oak (Quercus petraea), the most suitable species for winemaking barrels. We source our oak from two main regions: the slow-growing trees of the Zemplén Mountains provide dense, tight-grained wood that lends elegance and finesse to wines, while the oak grown in the warmer climate of the Mecsek forests offers a looser structure that enhances micro-oxidation and delivers sweeter, vanilla-like notes. Every tree selected for felling is personally chosen by Kristóf Flódung, ensuring that only straight, knot-free oaks aged 100–120 years are processed. The oak used consists of 80% from the Zemplén Mountains and 20% from the Mecsek, creating balanced and harmonious aroma profiles.
Stave Preparation and Seasoning
Assembly and Toasting
Testing and Quality Control
Products
Our barrique barrels cover the full spectrum of winemaking needs. We offer the following sizes and types:
225 liter
Bordeaux Barrique
The most widespread size worldwide; suitable for full-bodied reds and complex whites.
Parameters
- Capacity: 225 liters
- Height: 950 mm
- Head diameter: 570 mm
- Bilge diameter: 710 mm
- Stave thickness: 27 mm
- Weight: 50 kg
- Bung hole: 50 mm
300 liter
Hogshead Barrique
Larger volume with a more restrained barrel effect.
Parameters
- Capacity: 300 liters
- Height: 960 mm
- Head diameter: 650 mm
- Bilge diameter: 780 mm
- Stave thickness: 27 mm
- Weight: 60 kg
- Bung hole: 50 mm
500 liter
Puncheon Barrique
Parameters
- Capacity: 500 liters
- Height: 1080 mm
- Head diameter: 800 mm
- Bilge diameter: 950 mm
- Stave thickness: 27 mm
- Weight: 95 kg
- Bung hole: 50 mm
References
The quality of our barrels is best proven by the success of our clients. The Italian winery Marchesi Antinori has entrusted our Palotabozsok cooperage with nearly all of its barrel needs for many years. According to our partners’ feedback, our barrels ensure balanced micro-oxidation and rich aromas, while Hungarian oak barriques rival the quality of French barrels. Numerous Hungarian and international wineries share positive experiences, confirming that 3–4 years of stave seasoning and careful toasting make a tangible difference in the wine’s character.
Today, European Coopers Ltd. barrels can be found in many of the world’s leading wine regions. In Italy, wineries in Tuscany have long chosen us, with the Antinori family estates covering nearly all of their barrel demand with Palotabozsok barrels. In North America and Oceania, distribution is managed by Bouchard Cooperages, our exclusive partner in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Hungary, we serve customers directly and are continuously expanding our partner network to make our premium barrels even more accessible.
Contact
- 7727 Palotabozsok, Rákóczi u. 29.
- +36 69 341 389
- +36 30 207 4233
- info@europeancoopers.hu
Send your inquiry
International inquiries are also welcome in English. Request a personalized quotation and experience the exceptional value our barrels bring to your wines!
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