Benoît Torcheboeuf, Head of Tonnelleries Artisanales de Charente, as Told by Stéphane Ebel

Globe-trotting Cooper Companion

A great-grandfather who was a cooper and a grandfather who was a winemaker. The foundations were set for Benoît Torcheboeuf, Production Manager at Tonnelleries Artisanales de Charente, which includes the Marchive and Mercier cooperages. He could have chosen to work with his father, who ran a public works company, but his passion for wood ultimately guided his professional path.

Benoît is originally from the Yonne region, specifically from Volgré, where he was born and raised. He now lives in Charente, in Boutiers-Saint-Trojan, where he resides with his wife and children, and also serves as a municipal councilor. Along the way, Benoît has traveled extensively, exploring the world and learning the craft of cooperage—a vocation rather than just a profession. My great-grandfather was a cooper, my grandfather was a winemaker… I had some predispositions to follow this path,” Benoît explains. “I could have worked with my father, who had a public works company, but it didn’t really appeal to me./em> ».

He fell into it when he was young.

« I’ve always loved working with wood, transforming the material. Even as a kid, it fascinated me. ». A passion inherited from a great-grandfather who was a cooper in the Yonne.« I had inherited his tools, and I was already tinkering with them when I was a child », Benoît recalls.. When it came time to choose his educational path, the young man from Yonne didn’t hesitate. He opted for a professional training route, enrolling in a CAP in cooperage, which he completed in Beaune. Following that, he joined the military. A perfectionist, and determined to continue in the field he had chosen—cooperage—Benoît entered into the Compagnonnage program to further hone his skills and deepen his knowledge of the craft.

Discoveries and Learning

It all started in Charente, at Radoux. This would be followed by many other assignments with different companions, in other companies, and in various cities. « That’s the principle of the Compagnonnage: every six months, you change cities, projects, companies, and colleagues. You learn every day from other companions, more experienced and seasoned. It’s a school of life, teaching both interpersonal skills and craftsmanship. A remarkable “conveyor belt of knowledge.” ».  Being a companion also means learning discipline and developing a passion for well-done work. « There is the workday, in the evening it’s homework, and weekends are dedicated to working on the pieces. There would be Charente, then Normandy, and finally Spain, where the aspiring cooper was to do a few months of work experience: « I really enjoyed it there—the atmosphere, the work, the people, the climate. Initially, I was supposed to stay for six months, but in the end, I spent 4 years there. I was in charge of the workshop and had 20 guys under my responsibility. I learned a lot.”. Then came the return to France, specifically Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Marmande, where Benoît spent ten years working to develop the large container workshop at Tonnellerie Garonnaise, bringing his expertise and methods to his colleagues.  

Enhancing and Passing on Knowledge

The man is affable, eager to learn, and determined to pass on what he has been taught—this centuries-old craftsmanship elevated to the level of an art. “It is the vocation of companions to pass on what they have learned, and for me, it is always a pleasure to do so.” Manager of Tonnelleries Artisanales de Charente, which includes the Marchive and Mercier cooperages.situé on Barbezieux, Since 2020, Benoît has been overseeing a team of about twenty people, continuing to preserve both the craftsmanship and the mindset behind it. « Mutual support, training, and the sharing of knowledge and expertise are all key drivers that contribute to the growth of each individual and the overall performance of the company. ». And in this regard, Benoît can rely on Florian, the workshop manager at Tonnelleries Artisanales de Charente, who supervises the apprentice coopers. « I enjoy working as a team, here in Barbezieux, in Cognac… There is a certain solidarity between the cooperages in the group. When help is needed somewhere, or if I need a hand, it works. In this area, everyone knows each other. Even though we don’t work under the same banner, we are part of the same family », Benoît concludes

Three Questions for Benoît Torcheboeuf:

Benoît, you are now settled at Tonnelleries Artisanales de Charente. Do you miss traveling?
I’ve traveled quite a bit over the years, so it’s nice to settle down for a bit. Plus, when you work at Charlois, there are sometimes opportunities to travel for work. The United States, Spain, among others—there’s no shortage of chances.

You just mentioned Charlois, and you joined the group four years ago. What is your perspective on the company?

First of all, I would say that you never get bored. There’s not much time for routine to settle in. Another thing I like about the group is the emphasis on passing on craftsmanship, which is very present. When you’re trained by the companions, like I was, transmitting skills and values is a priority. And even though the company is constantly growing, there’s always a very family-oriented atmosphere, whether the businesses are historic within the group or newly integrated. It’s a mindset I fully embrace, 200%.

Work isn’t everything in life. How do you spend your free time?

(Pauses to reflect…) A broad topic. First, I do a lot of cycling. I almost always go out every weekend, on distances that vary. Every year, I do a little Cognac – La Rochelle, and a small pass in the Pyrenees. It keeps me healthy and, most importantly, clears my mind. I also really enjoy skiing. On a more ‘down-to-earth’ note, I’m a local elected official in the town of Boutiers-Saint-Trojan, which has about 1,500 residents. Before I was elected, I was involved in the town’s event committee. They came to ask me, and I thought, why not? I’m responsible for the schools, which I really enjoy. It’s a varied and enriching role. In fact, if I’m offered a second term, I’m up for it.