Reclaiming Oak Wine Barrels - April 30, 2018

I met Peter Sandvig recently in his garage turned workshop at his Woodinville home.
As he says, “I’m semi-retired.” He was in the “fish business” all his life and has now found a new calling creating furniture that could easily pass as art in some circles. He also works at McClendon’s in the garden shop in case his photo accompanying this article looks familiar.
Sandvig has started Woodinville Barrel Works where he takes authentic reclaimed oak wine barrels and creates some beautiful hand-crafted pieces that most certainty will find their way into many Woodinville homes and businesses in the coming months.
 “It started with spheres”, stated Peter. He’s referring to a hanging globe that uses the metal bands from the wine barrel that when connected, form into a sphere shape with the possibilities of lights in the middle.  His wife, Kathryn, saw a similar design and encouraged him to give it a try and create one for their home. From there Sandvig pulled apart the wine barrels and started creating hand-crafted pieces from every part of the barrel including the top, bottom, wood stays (the wood strips used to form the barrel), and the metal bands.
As he explained, “After a wine barrel imparts oak into fine wines, they lose the ability to do so after 3-5 years, and they start to leak.” This deems them unusable for wine and that’s when Sandvig steps in by giving those barrels new life.  As we all know, there isn’t a shortage of wineries in the area, and he works with many of the Woodinville wineries in finding barrels to use for his creations.
Every piece Sandvig makes is unique because every barrel is a little different. The width of the wood stays determine whether each can be best utilized to create such items as a candleholder, table, plant stand, or even a hammock (my favorite piece). The tops can be used for a table top, of course, but also as a clock face or lazy Susan. There were so many unique items that he had created and each one was reminiscent of the original wine barrel.
How does he come up with the ideas on what to make? He said “my wife has helped me with the creative side of the many pieces.”
Recently Icon Cellars in the Artisan Hill wine district of Woodinville gave Sandvig a used wine barrel and commissioned him to make a fire pit for their tasting room.  Jim Garner of Icon said “Peter [Sandvig] is a marvelous craftsman with a great eye for detail. His custom wine barrel fire pit has received rave reviews from all customers coming into the winery. It has added beauty to the ambiance at Icon Cellars.  I would highly recommend commissioning him.”
You can find Sandvig along with his wife at the Woodinville Barrel Works booth at the Woodinville Farmers Market starting May 5th when they open for the season.  You can also reach him at [email protected].
See below for information on the Woodinville Farmers Market including the new 2018 location.
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​The Woodinville Farmers Market will open its 25th anniversary season on May 5th at a new location.  The Woodinville Community Church United Methodist (17110 140th Ave NE, Woodinville) will welcome friends and neighbors to the farmers market every Saturday through September from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Lea Jones, President of the Woodinville Farmers Market, said, “We are excited to bring you several returning vendors, as well as, many new vendors.  We are even working on bringing in a few food trucks!   Each week will see something different at the market.”  Live music is planned for the weekly farmers market as well. 
At press time, there are 23 confirmed vendors and the organization is continuing to accept applications.   Visit www.woodinvillefarmersmarket.com if you are interested in becoming a vendor.
Once again kids can enjoy the Community Play Zone booth, which will have some great activities!  New this year will be painted rocks that will be placed throughout the city [Woodinville] and some will have a surprise note on the bottom.  Jones said “If you find a rock with a special note, bring the painted rock to the market information booth and we will exchange it for a fantastic prize!” 
Be sure to “like” the Woodinville Farmers Market Facebook page for the most up to date information on the Saturday market.

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