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Bouchons Trescases / Our history

Our history

Welcome to the history of Bouchons Trescases Discover the people, the land and the know-how that have built Bouchons Trescases.

Since 1876, generation after generation, Bouchons Trescases has supplied the most prestigious wineries and iconic châteaux with natural corks of exceptional quality.
Our company is proud to be the oldest producer of cork stoppers for still wines in France.

In the family, the secret of selection is passed down from generation to generation: over 130 years of observation and analysis of cork, its regions, forests and harvests, to obtain the best breeds for top-quality corks. From cork removal to the final finish of our corks, we put our family know-how and innovation at the service of quality.

Wine is our history, wine is our world.

1876

House founded by Joseph Trescases

At the age of 28, Joseph Trescases set up the first cork stopper factory in Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales. After completing his apprenticeship in a cork-making workshop in Llauro, he set up his own factory in 1876. It’s the beginning of the story!

1904

Jacques Trescases takes over the business

Jacques Trescases takes over the reins of the family business following the death of his father. Veuve J. Trescases & Fils becomes a renowned corkmaker in France, demonstrating the excellence of its corks throughout Europe. Buoyed by his success, Jacques Trescases acquired two large buildings in the Pont de Céret district and set up a modern factory there, employing over 100 workers.

1909

Gold medal winner at the Montpellier International Exhibition

A major recognition for the exceptional quality of our corks.

1912 – 1918

Birth of A & J. Trescases frères

After the untimely death of Jacques, the eldest sibling, his brother Jean and sister Anna took over the business, becoming A. & J. Trescases frères. During the First World War, Jean is mobilized, leaving Anna to run the Céret factory with a master’s hand. At the end of the war, Jean took over the reins, accompanied by his wife Marie Trescases, who in turn joined the family adventure.

1924

The company becomes the exclusive supplier to Clos des Papes.

1957

S.A Bouchons Trescases

Georges and Jean-Anny joined the family business in 1945 and 1948 respectively. In 1956, they took over the management of the company, which became S.A. Bouchons Trescases.

1959

Plant inauguration at Le Boulou

To keep pace with growth, Georges and Jean-Anny decided to set up in Le Boulou, where they bought the buildings of a former factory manufacturing expanded agglomerated cork for insulation. The company is still located at this address today.

1960

The company becomes the exclusive supplier to Drouhin.

1976

100 years of know-how

The company celebrates its 100th anniversary.

1983

Creation of Société Nouvelle des Bouchons Trescases S.A.

Société Nouvelle des Bouchons Trescases S.A. was created, a 100% subsidiary of S.A. Bouchons Trescases.

1985

Michel Trescases succeeds his father and becomes Chairman and CEO of S.A Bouchons Trescases.

2009

FSC certification obtained for some of our corks.

Proof of our commitment to preserving the planet.

2016

Certification of our excellence

Our company is SYSTECODE PREMIUM and EXCELLENCE certified. This is recognition of the long and committed work carried out over the last decade.

2023

Today

We now produce between 140 and 150 million corks a year. Every 5 seconds, a Trescases cork is uncorked worldwide!

2026

Bouchons Trescases celebrates its 150th anniversary

This longevity is due to the special attention paid to the quality of the corks produced.

Our company was born of craftsmanship. We are pursuing our founder’s vision ofexcellence and traditional know-how. Preserving our crafts and our unique and specific know-how is of paramount importance.