Finally, on another road trip the inspiration hit a tipping point. This time we were visiting the Barossa Valley for a weekend away and visiting an old friend of Chris's, Dan Standish from The Standish Wine Company. It was such an experience that we decided to buy the first raw materials - a beautiful french oak hogshead from the Yarra Valley - and start creating.
The hogshead is about 75 litres bigger than your normal barrique (as we discovered!) so it didn't quite fit in the boot of our little car, but with the help of some strong rope we got it home! It sat on our front patio for a few weeks as we figured out how to actually remove the rings. But we finally found the right tool, and we were away. When we got the barrel open, our senses were engrossed. There was the beautiful rich aroma, the rough, rustic feel of hand on oak, the deep rouge hue stained through the inside of the barrel and the stunning long grain of each piece.
This is the inspiration and the passion that Bare Rouge has been born from. Maybe it will grow into a business? Maybe it will always be our secret hobby? Where ever this journey goes, we would love you to come along for the ride!
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