IT ALL STARTED WHEN…

The journey that became Oregon Barrel Works started when founder Rick DeFerrari bought a Eurail pass in 1992. He was not far removed from college (where he studied Forestry and Engineering) and was planning a vacation that would take him through France and Italy with the eventual plan of ending-up at a beach in Greece. Prior to this trip, he had worked grape harvests in Oregon and through his connections had formed an introduction to Tonnellerie François Frères. Upon his arrival at the cooperage, his zeal and knowledge of forestry led to a job offer on the spot. He spent the next 18 months learning all stages of barrel production from tree to finished product.

He never made it to Greece.

OBW has been operating at it's current location in McMinnville since 2005. Rick and his small team of skilled artisans are a complete cooperage: they source lumber, mill, season, build, and toast all on site.

Barrel-making has been part of Rick's life for the past 30 years, reflecting not only the beginnings of his career in France, but decades of refining technique through experience. Unifying time-honored craft with innovation and experimentation is what sets Oregon Barrel Works apart from the rest.