If you’re preparing to start up a small winery, you’re going to need quite a bit of equipment to get yourself started. You can purchase this equipment new or find it secondhand, but there are certain items that you simply cannot go without.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need when planning for new winery equipment installation in Eugene, OR.

• Wine press: One of the most important processes in winemaking is pressing the grapes. There are several categories of wine presses, but in general, they all operate the same way. The purpose is to place a controlled amount of pressure on the grapes to extract the juice. The word “control” is important here—it is possible to go too hard with the pressure to the point where the seeds get crushed, which introduces unwanted tannins into the resulting wine.
• Crusher-destemmers: These types of machines are used to separate the grapes from the stems before they go through the wine press. You can also find combined destemmer-crushers, which focus on destemming before crushing.
• Wine tanks: These acid-resistant containers can be made from various materials, such as stainless steel, wood or concrete. They are large and come in numerous shapes to suit your requirements, meaning you can easily customize them for your operation. Tanks can be separated into those that store mash and those that are used for fermentation. Small wineries will usually have tanks with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 liters.
• Must and wine pumps: These pumps are used to transfer the wine in and out of different containers. Must pumps are stronger and are used for moving thicker substances during the fermentation process. Wine pumps are generally used for bottling and filtering.
• Aging equipment: There are several types of wine aging equipment you’ll want to have on hand in your winery. Oak barrels are frequently used for adding to the flavor of the wine during aging and will generally be used for two or three years until their flavors are gone. Stainless steel drums are another option. They’re more durable than oak barrels and can be reused much more, although they don’t impart an oaky taste. They do, however, allow you to control the wine’s exposure to air.
• Winery chillers: Temperature control is an integral part of the wine fermentation process. Inconsistent temperatures can lead to poor wine quality and flavor. Winery chillers allow you to maintain the proper temperatures for your fermenting wines over time.
• Safety equipment: Any winery should have certain types of safety equipment on hand. For example, workers should always be within reach of an oxygen mask to protect against CO2 poisoning. It’s also a good idea to wear harnesses whenever working inside the tanks.
• Laboratory equipment: Part of delivering a high-quality wine product is monitoring its chemistry. You can purchase your own laboratory equipment if you wish, or you can always send samples to other sources for inspection.

There are lots of things that go into starting a small winery, but these are some of the most important. For more information about winery equipment installation, contact your local source for commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR.