Ceramic Amphoras (Amphorae)
Although the use of ceramic vessels in winemaking dates back centuries, there has a recent resurgence in interest in this material for modern winemaking. Ceramic vessels can promote stability and purity in wines when used for fermentation and aging. Provided the vessels are handled properly, they can offer decades of use, building texture and complexity in the finished product. It is no mystery why ceramic amphoras are found more and more inside the most reputable cellars in the world.
Between our three suppliers, Artisan Barrels & Tanks offers the main three ceramic materials: terra cotta, stoneware, and porcelain.
Clayver ceramic wine barrels are produced by a small company out of Genoa, Italy. They have been making these vessels for almost two decades. They are made from a special homogeneous and compact natural ceramic stoneware. This material is similar in many aspects to natural granite: it is impermeable to liquids and therefore does not require any measures to prevent evaportaion.
The intrinsic microporous structure of the ceramic material can allow gas exchange with the outside of the vessel, but only in limited quanitites and over very long time scales. This material is therefore also suitable for long aging periods.
Biopythos is a small company out of Limoges, France that crafts beautiful winemaking jars in both stoneware and porcelain. Limoges has a rich history of crafting high-quality porcelain, and Biopythos keeps this tradition alive with their line of winemaking vessels.
The stoneware and porcelain vessels come in various sizes and shapes, ranging from 3 L eggs to 550 L eggs, and 120 L jars to 1000 L jars. Stoneware is less porous than Terra Cotta, and offers a winemaking vessel with similar thermal kinetics to amphorae, but with less oxidation, creating tighter, more focused wines. Porcelain is even less porous than Stoneware, and helps shape wines with incredible precision and delicacy. This material is particularly suited for very delicate, fruit-forward whites, rosés, and reds. Porcelain is the least porous of our egg/amphorae offerings and allows for very slow oxidation and aging of the wine.
Novum was created by Winemaker and Ceramics artist Andrew Beckham. Andrew has been a ceramics artist for over 25 years, and upon entering the world of winemaking, sought to combine his passions. Inspired by the ancient Qvevri crafted in the country of Georgia and the culture of aging wine in Clay vessels in Impruneta, Italy. The Novum vessels are made with a proprietary mixture of clay, that has removed the harsh metals often found in terra cotta. The Novum are crafted in Andrew’s studio on the vineyard at Beckham Estate. These unique vessels impart minerality and texture to the wines, while staying very cool during ferment, allowing the wines to stay fresh and develop a generous fruit profile. These vessels are rather porous which leads to quick evolution of the wines during the élevage stage.
