Texas’ First Cooperage Opens, Bringing Local Barrels to Distilleries and Wineries

(Photos: Standard Cooperage)

Texas distilleries and wineries now have a barrel supplier they can call their own.

Standard Cooperage has opened in Blanco, becoming the first cooperage in Texas and bringing in-state barrel production to one of the nation’s fastest-growing wine and spirits markets. The family-owned operation will produce custom American white oak barrels for craft distillers, wineries, and other beverage producers across the state.

Despite ranking among the nation’s largest wine- and spirits-producing regions, Texas has never had its own cooperage. Producers have traditionally relied on barrel suppliers from other states, such as Kelvin Cooperage in Kentucky and Independent Stave Company in Missouri. Standard Cooperage aims to change that by offering Texas-made barrels tailored to each customer’s specifications.

Founded by engineer and longtime Texas Hill Country builder Greg Standard, the cooperage began construction in 2025 and opened for business in May 2026. Standard said the company was created to provide Texas producers with a local partner that shares their commitment to craftsmanship and authenticity.

“We started Standard Cooperage because we believe Texas producers deserve a true homegrown partner,” Standard said in a news release. “For our family, integrity isn’t just a business word. It’s something we bring to work every single day.”

The company sources 100% Quercus alba, or American white oak, from sustainably managed forests in Texas and other states. Logs are separated by region throughout the production process, a practice the company says helps maintain flavor consistency while giving producers greater control over the characteristics imparted by each barrel.

“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,” said Dr. Bob Young, co-owner and executive winemaker at Bending Branch Winery.

According to the company, sustainability is central to the operation. Standard Cooperage says it uses collected rainwater exclusively for steaming barrels, relies on wood scraps generated during production for toasting and charring, and repurposes wood byproducts to minimize waste. The company also uses natural wood fires for barrel finishing rather than chemical accelerants.

Unlike many larger cooperages, Standard Cooperage does not require long-term purchasing contracts. Every barrel can be customized based on wood origin, toast level, char profile and other specifications, making the service accessible to both startup distilleries and established producers.

One of the state’s most critically acclaimed distilleries, Still Austin Whiskey Co., is working with Standard.

“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. “It’s been a pleasure working with Standard Cooperage; their barrels showcase meticulous craftsmanship and have delivered outstanding results.”

The opening comes as Texas continues to expand its footprint in premium wine and spirits production. With more than 500 wineries and 200 craft distilleries in the state, Standard Cooperage is positioning itself as a key supplier for producers seeking a locally sourced aging solution that reinforces Texas identity from grain and grape to barrel and bottle.