Manufacturing
from 80 to 1200 liters
Handcrafted
V&T Amphores’ jars are shaped using molds to ensure consistent forms, but assembled manually to reinforce their structure.
Artisanal Craftsmanship & Natural Clay
Each piece is unique, with slight variations in shape, reflecting each potter’s personal signature. The color also varies, depending on the natural clay veins in the quarry.
Heritage
A true artisanal legacy, designed to enhance aging and vinification.
Stoneware Containers
Sichuan sandstone, unique and precious
To expand options for producers, we also offer stoneware, which provides less micro-oxygenation than terracotta. Stoneware pottery is made from silica-rich clay, fired at high temperatures (1100 to 1300°C), allowing it to fuse and fill certain pores. As a result, stoneware is denser and less porous than terracotta, while still providing subtle micro-oxygenation.
We traveled to China, the ancient cradle of stoneware and porcelain ceramics, where this material has never ceased to be used, particularly for preserving alcohol and rice wines.
Dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship, we draw directly from this rich cultural heritage.
We have adapted some traditional forms to meet the needs of modern beverage producers and designed new models, which are expertly crafted by Yunqiao, our long-standing Chinese ceramic partner. The manufacturing workshops are located near the extraction quarries in Sichuan Valley, China.
Natural Stoneware Manufacturing
Artisanal Process
Natural sandstone can be made from red, brown, white, gray, or black clay depending on its composition and oxide content. The earth is kneaded with spring water and then filtered to obtain an ultra-fine grain clay.
Handcrafted Assembly : Stoneware containers are built by layering raw clay, using molds. This method ensures uniform shapes, but each layer is hand-assembled so potters can reinforce structural areas as needed.
Key qualities of our stoneware jars
Respect for grape varieties
Authenticity of aromas
Preservation of fruit quality
Gentle micro-oxygenation
Good thermal insulation
Delicacy, lightness, minerality, freshness
Natural and reliable : like terracotta, stoneware is a natural clay that requires no coating, allowing liquids to be in direct contact with the surface.
Healthy : thanks to the crystalline structure of stoneware, our jars generate high ionization energy.
Resistant and insulating : these containers are exceptionally hard, with excellent resistance to chemical and thermal stress.
Practical : their smooth walls make cleaning effortless.
"We have several amphorae in our cellar. Among their beneficial properties, we appreciate their slow oxygenation, which leads to significant stabilization and concentration through gradual evaporation."
Bodega Ca'n Vidalet
