Page 21 - Grapevine Jan-Feb 2020

In The Winery

crush, to replace them with reasonable length will integrate into the rest of the structure and
cords so as to allow various configurations and winemaking processes. Must can transfer into the
flexibility in their set-up. Not each grape with go tanks by way of gravity if the crush pad is elevat-
through the exact same process and the winery will ed higher than the tanks. Other ways to achieve
benefit from this flexibility. gravity are by way of forklift. Be sure to work with
all winery personnel and designers to make sure
Stationary Equipment: Make sure stationary these areas are discussed and completely thought
equipment is placed strategically to allow it to func- through. The forklift should be the only machine
tion properly. Make sure, for example, that a press (see below) that is critical in your process. This
is placed far enough away from a wall to allow its machine is typically easily fixed or replaced on
juice pan to be moved so a pomace wagon may pull short notice. Always place a few calls before crush
underneath for unloading. to have a plan “B” as close to your potential needs
as desired.
Protective Corners: Wall corners, by way of
some form of angle iron type material, to protect Forklift: Often the most utilized piece of equip-
from day to day traffic and worker abuse are a ment for moving materials during the crush on the
great asset. These areas often have hoses and crush pad. Gravity may be achieved easily with a
cords pulled through them and they wear easily. It forklift. Heavy items are also easily moved from
is best to protect them. Other areas to need pro- one point to another. Allow plenty of space for the
tection may be around mechanical equipment or forklift operator to have adequate space to per-
winemaking gases such as : Nitrogen, Carbon diox- form these tasks easily.
ide, Argon, Liquid Sulfur Dioxide and now Oxygen.
Pilings best protect these areas from larger traffic Over Thinking Your Processes: Make sure
issues. that your crush pad set up is not so rigid that pro-
duction on the crush doesn’t have some flexibility.
Sight Into Cellar: If possible make sure the Imagine if one machine, in a series of machines,
winemaking staff can see into the cellar from the were to become broken. Can a crushing set up
crush pad. Often transfers are being made and a plan exist to skip that machine or does the com-
design that allows visual inspection that the trans- plete process come to a halt? Make sure the wine-
fer is happening as expected is important. This maker has enough “stage”, if you will, to have sev-
function can be a simple as glass paned doors as eral variations in production choices.
mentioned above. Other groups have used cam-
eras to assist the winemaking team confirm their Emergency Processing: Similar to over think-
valuable juice or wine moves safely from the crush ing the process above. Imagine poor weather has
pad to the cellar or vice-versa. been persistent for many days during harvest.
Projections of more poor weather are predicted
Hose Access to Cellar: Many wineries now and you are rapidly losing your crop and/or quality.
have openings, usually oversized PVC pipes through Contract growers and estate vineyard crews are
the walls, of the buildings so small wine transfer grumbling. You can’t keep enough labor at your
lines may be run through them. This helps elim- sorting table and/or you choose not to sort. Can
inate leaving cellar doors open during the crush this process or any other parts in your process be
allowing cold air to escape and more than likely skipped, at will, to not loose or jeopardize the com-
large amounts of fruit fly access. These may be plete vintage? Perhaps a break down occurs with
used additionally for water hoses and electric lines, one of the machines. Can they be worked around
if unplanned for in the lay out. I recommend two or does this bring the complete processing to a
PVC “sleeves” with plugs at a minimum place about stop?
two inches above the crush pad floor with a slight
fall back toward the crush pad so wine, juice and Equipment: Make sure when planning your win-
water will drain out on the crush pad for proper ery and crush pad to think through all the pieces
cleaning/disposal. of equipment that may needed. Make sure ample
space is provided on the crush pad for these items.
Gravity: Keep in mind the crush pad placement if A starter list of equipment may include but not be
gravity is desired to be used and how that feature limited to : Press; crusher-stemmer; must pump,

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