Standard Cooperage Offers Texas-Made Sustainable, Artisan Barrels for Wineries and Distillers
- Standard Cooperage is Texas’ first cooperage, producing premium American white oak barrels assembled in-state for craft distillers and winemakers
- Sustainability is built into operations: rainwater-only steaming, natural wood fires for charring and zero-waste use of wood byproducts
- Every barrel is customized to producer specifications – from wood selection to toast and char profile – with no long-term purchase contracts required
BLANCO, TX (June 15, 2026) — In a first for the Lone Star State, Standard Cooperage has opened its doors in Blanco, Texas, bringing premium American oak barrel production home to the state’s rapidly growing wine and spirits industries. The family-owned cooperage serves craft producers who demand local authenticity, sustainable sourcing and barrels tailored precisely to their vision.
Despite being the fifth-largest wine producing state and fourth-largest* when it comes to craft distilleries, Texas producers have not had a local cooperage to source barrels – adding cost, lead time and supply chain uncertainty to every batch they age. Standard Cooperage changes that, giving the 500+ wineries and 200+ distilleries in Texas a homegrown partner for the first time – and elevating Texas terroir to a new level.
Standard Cooperage is a family-owned business, led by founder Greg Standard whose career as an engineer, master sailboat captain and custom homebuilder in the Texas Hill Country defined his love of working with wood, managing precision and delivering a quality product. Standard purchased land and built the cooperage in 2025, opening its doors for business in May 2026.
“We started Standard Cooperage because we believe Texas producers deserve a true homegrown partner – a local one that shares their values and commitment to doing things the right way,” said Standard. “For our family, integrity isn’t just a business word. It’s something we bring to work every single day, in how we source our wood, how we build our barrels, how we do business with a handshake, and treat our customers as family. We’re grateful for this opportunity to elevate Texas’ wine and craft spirits industries.”
Standard Cooperage sources 100% Quercus Alba (American white oak) timber from sustainably managed forests across Texas and other states, then completes the full production process onsite – from raw logs to pressure-tested barrels. Unlike other cooperages, Standard Cooperage segregates logs from different regions, driving consistency in flavor profiles. For winemakers and distillers increasingly focused on regional terroir and provenance, Standard Cooperage offers a made-in-Texas barrel that adds genuine authenticity to their story.
“Greg and his engineering expertise, combined with his appreciation for Texas’ wine and spirits culture, made the move from custom homes to custom barrels feel very natural,” said Dr. Bob Young, co-owner and executive winemaker at Bending Branch, which was the first Texas producer to age wines and bourbons in Texas white oak. “Having a Texas cooperage is a huge boost to the Texas wine and spirits industries that continues to evolve and define not only their terroir but also what sets Texas apart.”
Sustainability at the Core
Environmental stewardship is an operating principle at Standard Cooperage. The company uses natural rainwater exclusively for steaming, relies on wood scraps for toasting and charring, and repurposes all wood byproducts to miSnimize waste. Steaming is done exclusively with collected rainwater, free from minerals and additives in municipal water supplies that can subtly alter a final product.
Charring and toasting rely solely on natural wood fires – no accelerants or chemicals are used that might affect flavors.
Accessible Business Model
At Standard Cooperage, every barrel is customized – regional wood selection, head and body toast profile, and char level are all tailored to specifications. Unlike many cooperages, Standard Cooperage requires no year-long purchase contracts, making premium, customized barrels accessible to both small-batch startups and established regional producers.
“When I first met Greg, his vision for elevating barrel craft was unmistakable. By integrating a stave mill and seasoning yard on site, Standard Cooperage embodies a commitment to uncompromising quality and artisanal excellence – a cooperage that is as much a work of art as it is a benchmark for the industry,” said John Schrepel, head distiller at Still Austin Whiskey Co. “It’s been a pleasure working with Standard Cooperage; their barrels showcase meticulous craftsmanship and have delivered outstanding results.”
About Standard Cooperage
Standard Cooperage is a Texas-based, family-owned barrel cooperage serving craft distillers, wineries, and beverage producers across Texas and beyond. With a commitment to Texas-made quality, sustainable practices and customer-first service, Standard Cooperage delivers premium American oak barrels built to elevate every pour.
For more information, visit standardcooperage.com.
