In previous posts, we have discussed how French oak forests are exceptionally well managed by L’Office National des Forêts (also known as the ONF) and have been since the late 1600s. Due to the hundreds of years of diligent management, the trees are tall, straight, and slow growing – characteristics that make them ideal for wine barrel cooperage.

While all the national forests of France are well-managed, some have now leveled-up to be “exceptional”. What does that mean? Well, in 2008, L’Office National des Forêts began the Forêt d'Exception® – or exceptional forests – label and to date, it has given this designation to 15 forests.

The Forêt d'Exception® label promotes the forest heritage and marks the forest as exemplary in sustainable development. The National Forêt d'Exception® Charter has ten qualifying points that outline what it means to be an exceptional forest. If you are so inclined, you can read the charter in full. The state forests of Fontainebleau and Trois Pignons were the first to receive the label on March 19, 2012.

Now enter the Darney forest… an expansive oak forest (approx. 15,000 hectares) in the Vosges. Darney has long been a way of life for the communities located there and mills have been present in the forest for centuries. Today, this area is actively utilized by the cooperage industry due to the excellent quality of its trees. The silt and clay soil, moisture, and forest density in Darney create ideal conditions for slow tree growth, which leads to very fine grain oak. To showcase its heritage, the Vosges applied for the Forêt d'Exception® label and has just successfully completed the first stage of the process.