In 1992, wanting to create a small, family business with soul, Alan and Steve Sullivan created StaVin. Our goal was to produce hand crafted, toasted oak integration products to compete with, and ultimately replace, barrels. The increasing costs associated with barrels reinforced their belief that the industry needed a very high quality, fire-toasted oak alternative.

Visits to cooperages taught the Sullivans how the finest barrels were produced. Here, they found the keys to unlocking the best flavors from oak for winemaking. It was apparent that sourcing from quality forests was important. However, most notable, were seasoning the oak for three (3) years and slow traditional toasting conducted by the most experienced employees in the cooperages.

This knowledge is the foundation upon which Steve and Alan created the model that stands at StaVin today. All oak is seasoned a minimum of three (3) years. We take pride in our meticulously trained toasting crew; many have been with us since the early days. To ensure that the flavors we impart to your wine match the best barrels in the business, the crew applies our slow, proprietary formula so that your oak is toasted to your precise specifications. All oak is then packaged in our barrier bags to eliminate any potential cross contamination during shipping.

To service your needs, two Ph.D. chemists are on staff, with extensive backgrounds in wine chemistry and oak. One can help you stylize your wines, while the other can guide you with the proper aeration as your wine is being crafted. Our office is highly trained and can execute your orders quickly and accurately. They are equipped with the most powerful database in the business, which is designed to help you manage your product usage with the utmost of ease.

We thank you for the privilege of delivering consistent, high quality oak products and a partnership that delivers highly acclaimed wines.