Category: Behind the Grain

You deserve to drink a little and save the rest—no matter what’s in that bottle.

Ever wonder what happens to those beautiful wood scraps after Rex finishes turning a cutting board or carving a pen? Well, we wondered too, and that’s how our sustainable wooden bottle stoppers were born.

From Workshop Floor to Wine Bottle Hero

Here’s the thing about Rex: he can’t stand seeing good wood go to waste. After 40+ years of woodworking, he’s developed what I lovingly call “scrap magic”—the ability to look at leftover pieces and see their hidden potential.

Last month, our workshop was overflowing with these gorgeous remnants—walnut with rich chocolate swirls, maple so blonde it practically glowed, cherry with grain that tells decades of stories, and mysterious pieces of wenge and okoume that Rex grabbed “because they were within reach while gluing and needed something.”

That’s when Rex decided to work his integration magic. He started combining patterns and grain, mixing turned lines with glued lines, creating these stunning bottle stoppers that prove sustainability can be absolutely beautiful.

Why Every Bottle Deserves a Proper Stopper

Let’s be real: that half-finished bottle of wine (or bourbon, or craft beer, or whatever makes you happy) deserves better than plastic wrap or a hastily shoved cork. You invested in something good—shouldn’t you be able to preserve it properly?

Here’s something you might not have considered: these work beautifully for beer bottles too. Having an outdoor party? Your guests can keep their craft beer fresh and bug-free. No more fishing flies out of IPAs or worrying about wasps diving into wheat beers.

Our wooden bottle stoppers aren’t just functional; they’re conversation starters. Imagine pulling one of these beauties out at your next gathering. Your guests will be asking about the gorgeous wood grain while you casually mention it’s made by a veteran craftsman from reclaimed materials.

That’s the kind of story that makes people lean in.

Meet the Collections (Yes, I Named Them—Don’t Judge)

Because WooCommerce and I both agree that photographing 30+ individual bottle stoppers would drive us both to drink (see what I did there?), I’ve organized them into collections:

The Thick Lines Set – “Beer Taps” (12 individual stoppers)

These bold beauties feature dramatic turned lines that create stunning visual texture. Rex varied the finishes across these pieces, so identical oak pieces can look completely different—one might showcase oak’s distinctive heavy light brown grain in all its glory, while another highlights the same wood’s subtle elegance. Add in the deep, mysterious wenge (so dark it’s almost black with striking true black grain lines) and the warm character of okoume with its beige base and pink-to-red heartwood variations, and you’ve got a collection where no two pieces are truly alike.

The Bumpy Lines Set (10 individual stoppers)

Here’s where Rex’s turning magic really shines. Each stopper features those signature “bumpy” ridges that catch the light and create shadows, giving incredible depth and character. The finish variations make these woods sing—imagine wenge’s dramatic black-on-black contrast next to okoume’s warm pink undertones, all while oak’s heavy grain patterns create their own beautiful story depending on how Rex finished each piece.

The Dark & Light Set (8 individual stoppers)

This is where sustainability meets stunning design. Rex combined contrasting wood pieces—the near-black drama of wenge dancing with oak’s light brown patterns, or okoume’s pink-blushed heartwood creating geometric harmony with maple scraps. The different finishes mean even the same wood combination can look completely unique. It’s like having wearable art for your bottles.

The Rounded Set (6 individual stoppers)

Classic elegance with Rex’s signature attention to detail. These smooth, organic shapes feel perfect in your hand and showcase how finish can transform wood personality. Oak might appear as a soft, understated beauty in one piece, then bold and dramatic in another. Wenge creates sophisticated depth, while okoume’s pink-to-red variations add warmth that changes entirely based on Rex’s finish choice.

The Sustainability Story You’ll Love Sharing

Here’s what makes these bottle stoppers special beyond their obvious beauty: they represent our commitment to zero waste. Every piece of wood gets a second life, whether it’s a small scrap that requires my resin magic or a larger piece that becomes part of Rex’s turning meditation.

We’re not just making bottle stoppers—we’re proving that sustainable practices can create something more beautiful than starting from scratch.

Built to Last (Because That’s How We Roll)

These aren’t flimsy accessories that’ll break after a few uses. Each stopper is crafted with the same attention to detail Rex brings to our cutting boards and pens. The wood is properly finished to resist moisture, and the mechanism creates a reliable seal that’ll keep your beverages fresh.

Like everything we create, these are made to become part of your family stories. That bottle stopper preserving your anniversary wine? It might just end up being passed down to the next generation.

Perfect for the Person Who Has Everything

You know that friend who’s impossible to shop for? The one whose kitchen is already perfectly curated and whose wine collection makes you slightly jealous?

This is their gift.

A set of handcrafted wooden bottle stoppers says, “I see your good taste, and I’m raising you something unique that nobody else will have.” Because let’s face it—these are one-of-a-kind pieces born from reclaimed wood and Rex’s four decades of craftsmanship.

From Our Workshop to Your Collection

Every set includes multiple stoppers because variety is the spice of life (and wine). You can match them to different bottles, keep some for special occasions, or gift them to fellow wine enthusiasts who’ll appreciate the story as much as the function.

And here’s the Rex guarantee: if anything ever goes wrong with your bottle stopper, we’ll make it right. That’s not just good business—that’s who we are.

Choose Your Perfect Stopper(s)

Each collection organizes our stoppers by style, but every single piece is sold individually. Browse through the collections to find the ones that speak to your style, whether you want one signature piece or several to match different occasions and bottles.

And here’s something to look forward to: we’re launching our holiday bundle and basket sale in October, perfect timing for gift-giving season. Keep an eye out for our November gift-with-purchase offer too—because who doesn’t love a beautiful surprise with their order?

Shop our Sustainable Wooden Bottle Stoppers collection now and discover which set speaks to your style. Looking for something just as sustainable but maybe funkier? Check out our original sustainable stoppers!

As always, we’re here if you have questions or just want to chat about wood, wine, or the magic that happens when scraps become stars.