Drunk Turtle is a family owned company located just outside of Pisa in Tuscany, Italy that produces both concrete and cocciopesto fermentation and aging eggs or Opuses in small and large formats that are used throughout the world.

Cocciopesto is a natural building material first used by the ancient Romans to create vessels and aqueducts for wine and water. The patented compound is made of fragments, or “cocci”, of crushed terracotta, stone, sand, de-chlorinated water, and small quantities of a natural binding agent. The mixture is then left to air dry in a mold, after which the vessels can be customized for enological applications. The material is less basic and contains significantly less heavy metals than concrete, therefore only requiring a small tartaric wash.

The natural materials in Cocciopesto are extremely durable, and their contact with wine brings minerality, complexity, freshness and brightness. Cocciopesto Opuses are also very slightly porous, allowing for slight micro-oxidation. The vessels thickness and building components provides thermal inertia qualities, therefore naturally protecting the wine from temperature fluctuations.

Drunk Turtle Opus are available in sizes from 3.5HL to 25HL and are most popular with light reds and whites for building texture and softness on the palate, whilst retaining acidity, tension and promoting fresh fruit characters.

Bouchard Cooperages started importing Drunk Turtle Opuses to North America in 2017 and following the vessels success and customer feedback, they have decided to make several design improvements:

• Improved forklift friendly feet system to make Opus easier to maneuver inside of winery
• All accessory gaskets are now made of silicone which is the most sanitary option available
• 5-point system upper hatch door which is the best option on the market for increased strength and durability
• Shorter welded external hatch lip to make emptying of Opus after fermentation easier and more efficient

Bouchard Cooperages has brought in some extra stock Drunk Turtle Cocciopesto Opus 3.5 HL and 10 HL and invites you to try them for the fermenting or élevage of your 2018 wines. If interested, please reach out to: sales@bouchardcooperages.com or Tel: 707-257-3582