Lower Franconia's last barrel maker

The manual production of barrels has long been a rare craft. Büttnerei Aßmann in Eußenheim is the last of its kind in Lower Franconia. The family business has been operating in Eußenheim since the end of the Second World War, processing local Spessart oak by hand and with precision, ultimately into wine barrels.

But until then, it is a time-consuming process that is worth every minute. From sawing and debarking the wood, to inserting it into the »barrel rose«, on to the bending room above the fire basket, then to covering it with iron hoops. This is followed by binding with cattail leaves and sealing with a paste made from water and flour. The barrels are then carefully planed, re-treaded and finally painted.

Around 400 barrique barrels are produced here every year. The barrels from Büttnerei Aßmann are not only bought regionally, but also from as far away as Thailand.