DIY: Repair a Wooden Barrel

Scrape away the top layer or two of wood on the stave where the leak is coming out, so you can find out where the wine or other liquid is bubbling through.

Look at the grain of the wood on the stave with the leak. Find the place where your grain begins by finding its intersection with a neighboring grain.

Make a hole with a chisel between the leak and the source of the grain. Make sure you cut perpendicular to the grain instead of parallel to it. If you cut parallel, you'll widen the leak. Your hole should look like a coin slot.

Use a saw to cut a wedge that will fit into the hole, width-wise, while sticking out a bit. Use the hammer to gently knock the wedge into place. Don't stop until the wedge is firmly set in the barrel.

Cut off the excess wedge with a wood chisel or saw. You'll need a sharp chisel blade to get a pure cut.