Kirk Bauer is a certified Dipl. Engineer in Oenology & Beverage Technology, from the University of Geisenheim, in Germany.

Having been involved in the wine industry for over 20 years, Kirk is very proud and passionate about the barrels he sources, produces and supplies throughout Europe, Australia and South Africa.

After graduating from Geisenheim, Kirk was employed as an editor for WEINWIRTSCHAFT, a trade magazine of Meininger Verlag in the Palatinate, Germany.

In 2000, Kirk was co-founder of the Mundus Vini - The Great International Wine Award. With more than 10 000 entries, it is currently the biggest European wine competition. Kirk is one of the five permanent board members and is President of the Jury.

To add to Kirk’s accolades, he is a permanent member, and often President of the Jury, for the London International Wine Challenge (IWC), the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), as well as for Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), which in 2018, was held for the first time outside of Europe, in Beijing.

Through his vast knowledge and experience with International wine styles, Kirk was appointed “sworn expert” (Chamber of Commerce, Germany), and is currently an active Assessor in the German Courts. His expertise is called upon for all disputes relating to the wine industry: between buyer and seller; in family disputes about treasury cellars and inheritance; and value of wine collections.

In 2005 Kirk founded his company, KIRKs TOTAL WINE (KTW), to provide a consulting service for many renowned wineries in Germany and central Europe (Luxembourg, France, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland).

Almost 15 years later, KTW’s consultancy business has expanded to buying in, warehousing and distributing French, European and American oak barrels and tanks, as well other innovative containers such as amphoras and concrete eggs. This year, a large variety of oak alternatives/adjuncts, are also being offered.

In addition to KTW’s extensive barrel portfolio, all necessary equipment to maintain and manage barrel cellars is also available.