At the present time, there are approximately 5500 barrels stored in the Columbia Winery barrel room.  We use both French and American oak barrels.  Each barrel holds 59 gallons or 24 cases of wine.  The average life of a barrel is six to ten years.

White wines, such as chardonnay, can spend up to six months in the oak barrels and red wines can spend up to two years, depending on the varietal and vintage.  The oak barrels allow the wines to age though slow oxidation, helping to create layers of complexity as well as adding flavors which enhance the wines.

Several times a year each barrel goes through a process known as racking.  During this process, the wine is removed from the barrel to separate it from the sediment that naturally accumulates at the bottom of the barrel. After the barrel is cleaned, the wine may be racked back into the barrel for more aging or stay in the tanks in preparation for bottling.