How virtual reality can ensure large oak barrels are perfectly integrated into a winery

Every large vessel is tailor-made so that it is perfectly adapted to technical practices and winemaking needs, the conditions in the winery and available space”, explains French cooperage company Taransaud. For the past twenty years, its design service has been providing its customers with 3D visuals and plans so that they can materialise their order.

From now on, the cooperage will also be offering them an immersion in virtual reality. Equipped with a headset, customers can see their large oak vessels from every aspect, gain a better understanding of their footprint and confirm the positioning of their accessories such as the height of the opening. “Virtual reality also allows them to visualise the inside of the vessel, hone the dimensions of the temperature control system and even assess ease of access for cleaning based on the actual size of the staff. This provides security for such a sizeable investment”, explains Taransaud.

The resource can be used by architecture firms and contractors commissioned for renovation projects or new builds, or by the technical director and head winemaker when the large vessel is designed to be incorporated into an existing winery.