As a mission-based cooperative lender and member of the Farm Credit System, CoBank is committed to serving as a good corporate citizen. The bank maintains a variety of corporate social responsibility programs primarily focused on rural America and the vitality of rural communities and industries.
We deliver vital support for the U.S. rural economy, providing financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. It's who we are and what we believe in. Join us.
A global wine barrel management company is transforming the way wine barrels are used and reused—extending their life cycle by 30 years, while reducing the environmental footprint of winemaking.
It takes approximately 180 years for an oak tree to reach full maturity, typically yielding just four wine barrels. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of this process, H&A Barrel Management was founded in France in 2004, and expanded into America’s wine country in Sonoma, California, shortly after. And in just two decades, it has swiftly grown into the largest reseller of oak barrels in the world.
H&A uses a rigorous cleaning process—including high-pressure washing, steaming and a 48-hour drying period—to ensure each barrel is 100% refurbished and can be used up to four times instead of just once.
FCL understands agriculture, and especially the nuances that come with the industry.
“We are committed to sustainability and deeply appreciate the value of the barrels and the importance of preserving the trees used to create them,” said Ludivine Simonis, lending and strategic partnership manager of H&A. “We also appreciate the value of our partners.”
Through strategic relationships and innovative financing, H&A is demonstrating that wine production and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.
“We need financial partners that understand the importance of agriculture—our services are niche, and it’s incredibly valuable to work alongside lenders with the same foresight. That’s why we continue to partner with Farm Credit Leasing,” said Laure Crater, H&A’s sales director.
FCL is H&A’s largest leasing partner in the United States, providing financial services for its barrel management program. FCL was introduced to H&A through its main system lender, American AgCredit, and a majority of the barrel leases are shared with the association. Under the program, H&A offers barrel leases and management services to its customers, then FCL purchases the barrel leases from H&A. Once the client is finished with the barrel, H&A removes, cleans and refurbishes the barrels—preparing them for a new life cycle.
“FCL understands agriculture, and especially the nuances that come with the industry. It’s not always predictable, but FCL always has financing options readily available so we can better serve our clients—and most importantly, reduce the amount of waste from discarded barrels,” Crater said.
With an eye to the future, H&A is currently implementing an additional program overseas to branch into the spirits industry. The barrels are refurbished and used in different ways to cater to a new sector—reconstructing the barrels and their various parts to further expand the lifespan.
“Sustainability is our driving factor, and we are always striving to find new opportunities to conduct business. And we couldn’t achieve that goal without the backing of our financial partners like FCL—together, we are making a significant environmental impact,” Crater said.
