Cooperage

cooperage is a collective noun for wooden containers (as in ‘small oak cooperage’) but has been more traditionally used for both the activities and workplace of coopers, those who make and repair small barrels and larger wooden vats. At one time all wine or spirit producers of any size would have their own small cooperage, but today the craft is perpetuated mainly by specialist cooperage businesses. The French term is tonnellerie.

1. Kilby, K., The Cooper and his Trade (London, 1971).
2. Taransaud, J., Le Livre de la tonnellerie (Paris, 1976).