Our history
It all started in 1954 with Julien Rousseau. At that time, he started the Tonnellerie Rousseau to focus on large formats. The company quickly became a family business: his 2 sons, Jean-Marie and Guy, joined the ranks of Rousseau coopers in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1990, Jean-Marie Rousseau took over the management of the company, with the support of his wife Nicole, who joined the company to manage the administrative and financial part.
The next generation arrived in the 2000s! Jean-Christophe Rousseau in 2001: he joined the family business as a “foudrier”(cooper specialized in large vessels),once graduated from a cooperage trade school in Cognac.. He became director of the large vessel workshop in 2007. After studying business management and starting in finance and trade, he joined Tonnellerie Rousseau as sales director.
This complementarity between the two brothers is the strength of this 3rd generation, officially at the helm of Tonnellerie Rousseau since January 1, 2021. It is their turn to contribute to the family business which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
A great story of transmission that Tonnellerie Rousseau shares with its customers: “We have customers who have followed us from the very beginning. They also passed on their estate from generation to generation and today we work with the grandchildren of our grandfather’s clients,” says Frédéric.
We fell into the barrel business when we were little !
Frédéric & Jean-Christophe Rousseau
1954
Creation by Julien Rousseau
The cooperage originally specialized
in building and renovating large formats.
1973
Jean-Marie Rousseau
Julien’s son, decided to manufacture barrels as well.
1979
The workshop
settles in Couchey,
in Côte de Nuits
1985
Beginning of the barrel manufacturing activity
under the leadership of Jean-Marie
Rousseau, Julien’s son
1990
Jean-Marie Rousseau
becomes General Manager
1991
Nicole Rousseau
joins the company
1994
Beginning of
exportation towards the US
2001
Jean-Christophe Rousseau
joins the company
2004
Frédéric Rousseau
joins the company as well
5 coopers
“Best Craftsmen of France” including Julien Rousseau.
Launch of the 1st barrel of the Expert range, called PIANO®
2007
Once again,
5 coopers,
« Best Craftsmen of France », including Jean-Marie and Jean-Christophe Rousseau
2008
As a tribute to the Best Craftsmen,
the new VIDEO® barrel is launched as part of the Expert range
2012
Rousseau obtains the
PEFC certificate
2014
We’re 60 !
The large formats
workshop moves in brand new facilities
in Gevrey-Chambertin
2015
A new « Cooper» is named “Best Craftsmen of France”.
2018
Launch of the
Hexagone series
2019
Commitment to
restoration of forests
2020
Extension of the log
storage platform
2021
Transmission of management
to children,
parents retirement.
nowadays