Handcrafted
amphorae and jars
Tuscan terracotta
Widely used for wine and olive oil since the Middle Ages, Tuscan terracotta is unique due to its mineral composition, characterized by a high presence of a limestone residue known as galestro (clay shale). This material, easily friable and well-recognized in the Tuscan Apennines, is the most dense and malleable in the world, allowing the production of highly durable, resistant, and aesthetically refined terracotta products. Its high iron content gives our jars their characteristic red and pink hues.
In the manual crafting of these jars, the thickness of the material is crucial and requires a level of skill that only handcrafting can properly manage. Our terracotta jars are assembled using the ancestral Colombian method.
Before firing, the raw clay must undergo a 7-week drying period, during which it loses 10–15% of its weight due to water evaporation. This phase is quite delicate, as it is influenced by the weather. The hotter it is, the faster the terracotta jar dries — but if it dries too quickly, it will crack. If the humidity is high, the drying process takes longer—but excessive humidity can cause the jar to collapse.
If the drying phase is successful, the next step is firing. The jar undergoes a 48- to 60-hour cycle in the kiln at 1020°C:
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24 to 36 hours to reach the necessary temperature
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12 to 24 hours of actual firing
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48 hours to cool down
Sichuan stoneware
Stoneware pottery is crafted from a silica-rich clay fired at high temperatures (between 1100 and 1300°C). Its high silica content triggers an initial vitrification process, filling some—but not all—of its pores with fused molecules, making stoneware denser, stronger, and more durable.
Stoneware originated in China and has continuously been used, particularly for storing delicate teas and crafting vessels for tea ceremonies.
V&T Amphores has masterfully combined these ancient and unique techniques to design its stoneware container range, specially tailored for winemaking needs. Yunqiao, our long-standing and trusted Chinese ceramic expert, ensures the production of our protected models.
The clay is sourced from natural quarries in Sichuan province, filtered and kneaded with spring water, then refined into ultra-fine-grain clay.
Stoneware container crafting involves assembling multiple layers of raw clay using molds. This shaping method ensures consistent forms, while the manual assembly of each layer allows potters to reinforce areas needing extra strength.