ARTFUL ALTERNATIVES
Since winemaking is both an art and a science, we, as a team of trained oak experts, tap into our experience in analyzing and layering aromatics as well as evaluating mouthfeel to help you finetune your flavor profile.
We offer complimentary measurement and analysis of oak aromatics, sensory evaluation of wine structure and oak profile, and scientific evaluation of consistency in oak toasting. Then, our cutting-edge science and technology push the limits of conventional wisdom on the chemistry of oak, heat and wine to provide you with premium products to create innovative flavor profiles that can be consistently replicated season after season.
HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT
EXPERT EXPERIENCE
Sampling all kinds of wine and working with all types of wineries for years, we can efficiently and effectively guide your oak adjunct decisions with confidence, clarity and creativity.
HIGH-TOUCH SERVICE
Based in the Northern California Wine Country, our collaborative team is accessible for consults and deliveries 12 months out of the year.
DEPENDABLE HIGH QUALITY
Leveraging our unbound passion, time-tested process and advanced technology, we maintain strict oversight from sourcing to flavor chemistry to toasting, to help ensure consistency of your flavor profile case after case, year after year.
OUR EXPERTS
Our expert Creative Oak team consists of highly knowledgeable and attentive oak sales and service veterans supported by an equally devoted team at Tonnellerie Ô of accomplished coopers, lab technicians and quality specialists.
JOSH TROWBRIDGE
Chief Executive Officer
jtrowbridge@creativeoak.com
(831) 818-8157
QUINN ROBERTS
Master Cooper
qroberts@creativeoak.com
(707) 315-4177
Evan Jones
Area Director – Central Coast, South Coast, and Oregon
ejones@tonnellerieo.com
(707) 400-4794
MICHAEL PRAMUK
Area Director – Napa Valley, Central Valley, Sierra Foothills, Washington State
mpramuk@tonnellerieo.com
(707) 334-1135
SABINE GEUL
Oak Sales and Operations Coordinator –
Napa Valley, Central Valley, Pacific Northwest,
Asia, Canada
sgeul@creativeoak.com
(707) 747-3622
DREW WOLFE
Area Director – International Markets & Technical Sales
dwolfe@creativeoak.com
(415) 902-3678
STEPHANIE MORIARTY
Area Director – Sonoma, Mendocino,
Lake County, the Bay Area territories, and Greater USA - Spirits and Beer Specialist
smoriarty@tonnellerieo.com
(415) 259-8444
ROBERT RASMUSSEN
Marketing Manager
rrasmussen@harv81usa.com
(707) 747-3636
GUS ZHU, MW
Research & Development Scientist
gzhu@harv81usa.com
(707) 748-3452
COMPANY PURPOSE
At Tonnellerie Ô, we are more than just a cooperage; we are like a family who shares a common DREAM: To be the most admired partner to the premium wine and spirits industry. Our SPIRIT is embodied in the mantra "Work hard, Play hard." We believe in a balanced approach that infuses energy into both our dedication to quality and our zest for life. This dual commitment is at the heart of our identity, and we endeavor to share this with all our stakeholders.
We hold a set of core BELIEFS that guide our every endeavor:
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We believe in setting the standards that others aspire to.
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While others may see customer service as a transaction, we see it as a relationship built on love and care.
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Mediocrity has no place in our vocabulary. We constantly push boundaries to create exceptional products and services.
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We embrace change and cultivate an environment where curiosity thrives, recognizing it as vital to our growth.
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We foster an exciting, safe, and joyful workplace where creativity flourishes.
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We aim to inspire individuals to pursue what they love, both within and outside our organization.
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Our existence is intertwined with the trees that form the foundation of our products, and we are committed to their conservation.
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We believe in focused growth, managing our business with prudence and sensibility.
Our CHARACTER is defined by nine pillars:
Transformational
Innovative
Courageous
Passionate
Demanding
Caring
Resilient
Reliable
Family
In all that we do, our FOCUS is clear: to Make a Difference.
We are not just crafting barrels; we are shaping experiences, defining tastes, and contributing to the legacy of those who appreciate the extraordinary. Our commitment to making a difference extends beyond the products we create – it resonates within our organization, making a positive impact on the lives of our colleagues, fostering a culture of growth, care, and inspiration.
Join us on this journey, where dreams are realized, spirits soar, and the pursuit of excellence is not just a goal but a way of life. At Tonnellerie Ô, we are not just crafting products; we are creating a legacy.
TECHNICAL SERVICES
As a Creative Oak customer, you will be fully supported by our veteran team of oak specialists and our in-house technical laboratory. We use cutting-edge science and technology to push the limits of conventional wisdom on the chemistry of oak, heat and wine, and create the tools you need to make wine the way you want to - with precision, predictability, repeatability and consistency.
OAK AROMATICS MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS
Our highly trained lab staff generate data on your wine sample, using our state-of-the-art GCMS and HPLC instruments. This raw information is then analyzed and presented in numerical and graphic formats.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF WINE STRUCTURE
Wine samples are oaked with a variety of toast profiles. Our tasting panel, in conjunction with your winemaking team, evaluates the effect of each toast on the wine’s palate, mouth feel, tannins, and other structural factors.
SENSORY EVALUATION OF OAK AROMATICS
Our tasting panel reviews the lab data in the context of sensory evaluations, and generates recommendations for use of different toasts to develop aromatic “signatures” appropriate to wine lot and brand identity.
SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION OF CONSISTENCY IN OAK TOASTING
Lab staff periodically performs GCMS1 and HPLC2 analysis of fresh batches of oak from the fire and oven, to ensure consistent levels of aromatic compounds from one batch to the next.