Tun

What is a tun in wine?

A tun is a large traditional wooden cask or barrel used in winemaking and storage.

Tun definition and capacity

By definition, a tun holds approximately 252 U.S. gallons (954 liters), equivalent to two butts or four hogsheads. This makes the tun one of the largest standard barrel sizes in wine production.

Historically crafted from oak, wine tuns were primarily employed for bulk wine storage, aging, and transportation, particularly in European winemaking regions. Their substantial size made them ideal for commercial-scale operations where large volumes required efficient storage.

Put simply: a tun of wine is about 252 U.S. gallons, or roughly 954 liters. That is far larger than a standard 750 mL bottle and even larger than common barrel sizes such as a hogshead.