Pneumatic wine presses have long been standard equipment at most professional wineries. However, as with any technology, the possibilities are constantly evolving. Those who have been working with the same press for many years often fail to exploit the full potential offered by modern systems today.
With a modern pneumatic press—such as the SPHERA, SIGMA, or MERLIN from Willmes—efficiency, cleanliness, and sensory precision can be significantly improved. Here are seven specific reasons why modernization is worthwhile.
The pressure control of modern pneumatic presses allows for even finer adjustment to the grape variety, degree of ripeness, and desired outcome. The combination of sensitive sensors and adaptive pressing programs ensures that the pressure build-up is not only gentle but also consistently reproducible. The result is clearly defined must fractions, which enable winemakers to carry out more targeted further processing.
New generations of presses use optimized membrane systems and intelligently controlled pressure curves to achieve a higher juice yield. With Willmes double membrane technology, pressure is built up evenly from two sides, which accelerates the emptying of the grape mass and at the same time reduces the influence of oxidation. This increases efficiency without compromising sensory quality.
The vertical juice channels drain the must directly from the mash during pressing. This reduces the time the juice is in contact with the mash, minimizing sediment formation and oxidation. The result is clearer musts with more stable aromas.
The controls of modern pneumatic presses offer winemakers the option of creating individual pressing profiles and accessing them at any time. This means that specific programs can be defined for each grape variety and each vintage—from gentle, reductively matured Sauvignon Blanc to extract-rich Burgundy wine. This flexibility increases consistency in the cellar and gives greater control over the end product.
Every minute counts during peak season. Willmes presses are designed to minimize dead space and shorten cleaning cycles. Smooth surfaces, optimized outlets, and CIP (cleaning in place) systems reduce downtime and ensure consistently high hygiene standards—a significant advantage in shift operation during harvest season.
Today's control systems can be seamlessly integrated into digital cellar management and process control systems. Juice management interfaces make the pneumatic press a networked component in the modern wine cellar. Updates and service access can often be carried out directly online, which reduces downtime.
7. Cost-effectiveness over decades
A new pneumatic wine press is not only an investment in technology, but also in operational safety and resale value. Thanks to their robust construction and high-quality materials, Willmes presses remain reliable in use for many years and achieve high market prices even as used machines. Those who modernize early on secure these advantages in the long term.
Upgrading to a modern pneumatic wine press brings measurable improvements in efficiency, hygiene, ease of use, and must quality. The combination of precise control, optimized diaphragm systems, and intelligent juice drainage ensures that winemakers can control their grape processing even more precisely.
If you already work with a pneumatic press, you should check whether you are exploiting its full potential. With a new generation of Willmes presses, quality, control, and efficiency can be raised to a new level—while ensuring maximum operational reliability for decades to come.
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