PWS distributes barrel alternatives from Suber-Lefort Australia, which has over twenty years experience in turning French barrel-quality oak into tank planks, mini-staves, segments, barrel kits, inserts, chips and powder.

Tank Planks
Tank planks act most like a barrel by integrating with the wine slowly. Made in convection ovens for 24 + hours, the flavor profiles of the planks are high in vanillins and low in tannins; ideal for today's wines.

Standard size is: 36” x 2½” x 3/8”= 1.45 square feet, Medium Toast with two 1” holes 33½” apart. Custom sizes up to 8' long are available.

Suggested at 120-200 square feet per 1,000 gallons for 30-50% of a new barrel, these tank planks should be used, as would be a new barrel.

Mini-Staves
Although quicker in extraction than tank staves, the results can still emulate a new barrel. Sized: 6” x 1½” x 5/16th (140 = 22 square feet), these can be added loose directly into the tank or in 10-20 # infusion bags attached to the side. Depending on the temperature, mini-staves release 80-85% of their flavors in 3-5 months. Available in two flavor profiles: 'Traditional' radiant toasted or convection XOV (extra oak vanilla): Recommended dosage 20-40# per 1,000 gallons.

Chips/Powder/Finishing Oak
Superfine powder available only with medium XOV toasting gives the sweetest, soft tannin flavors available. It is used during fermentation for co-polymerization of color pigments and tannins, and also just prior to bottling for a quick dose of sweet oak.

Chips available in 'Traditional” and XOV toasting in medium and medium + toast in two chip sizes: Granular (1/4”-3/8”), and Fine (<1/4”).

Finishing Oak: 3-year aged oak, in the form of segments and micro-staves in eleven pound infusion bags. It is designed for use prior to bottling with an emphasis on aromatics and less tannins.

Barrel Kits & Through The Bung Inserts
Available with 12 staves for 2/3rd the intensity of a new barrel or 18 staves for 100% equivalence of a new barrel.

Inserts, in vacuum-sealed packets. Very economical and effective!
Click here to visit the Suber-Lefort's website