Estaves

Estaves are the slender wooden planks that form the sides of wooden barrels and other casks. The term is commonly translated as staves in English. They are typically made from durable hardwoods, most frequently oak, chosen for strength, curvature, and resistance to leakage. Each stave is shaped with slight bevels on its edges so that when two dozen or more staves are arranged, they form a curved, watertight container once held together by hoops.

Staves are generally seasoned and dried before use to reduce warping and shrinkage. They are cut to roughly the same length and thickness and are beveled on inner and outer edges to create a tight joint with neighboring staves. The barrel’s capacity and shape depend on the number and dimensions of the staves; smaller casks use fewer staves, larger ones more. After assembly, metal hoops are fitted around the outside to hold the staves under tension.

Wood choice influences the character of liquids aged in the barrel. European and American oaks differ in tannin and vanillin content, affecting flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel. Barrels made from estaves are used primarily for aging wine, whiskey, beer, and other beverages, and may also serve in storage and transport. The shaping of staves has been refined through centuries of coopering, from hand-cut, toasted staves to modern mechanized production.