10 replies to this topic

[bret]

I'm considering buying this and would appreciate feedback from anyone who has used it: http://morewinemakin...ess_-_40_Liters

I should get my first harvest of 48 vines this Fall 2012, and in a couple of years should be up to 100 vines in production. Many of my vines are in quantities of 8 to 11 vines per varietal, so I would think I should be able to get it full enough with one row.

Thanks.

-Bret

[Calamity Cellars]

Same comments here as on the CD'r you posted about. Just make sure you are not undersizing yourself. If you decide to sell it and upgrade you will lose money on the deal. However, you will not be disappointed with the performance. If it meets your 4-5 year expected growth then go for it.

[Knucklehead]

I rent a bladder press very similar, if not the same one, certainly the same size. I processed a half ton last year and a full ton this year using this press and helped some one the year before process a ton using this press. I think it works great. If I couldn't rent it for $40 a whack I would consider buying one. You will need to do about 5-7 batches to complete a half ton. I didn't think that was too bad. I also used a basket press a friend brought to process a small batch of Viognier. I had never used one before. I don't know if there was an issue with the basket press, but I would never use one if had a chance to use a bladder press. The Basket Press was a PITA compared to the bladder. Good luck!

[Joe_Sallo]

Well, this won't be the most common point of information you will get but for the qty you are doing I would use a bucket press and save myself $1000, at least for now. I just sold my basket press because I hadn't used it in 3 years.

My bucket press is probably 10 years old and it's easier to clean than any press and storage is pretty self explanatory too. All it is is a 6 gallon bucket with a series of 1/8" holes. I have a 3 qt vollrath bain marie ( you could use a stockpot or pretty much anything else as a spacer for the bottom bucket) I place in another bucket. I place the drilled bucket on top, fill it, put another bucket on top and apply pressure, all you need is 200 pounds to get a very compact cake. That's it, it took about 20 minutes to drill the holes.

[mokadir]

Well, this won't be the most common point of information you will get but for the qty you are doing I would use a bucket press and save myself $1000, at least for now. I just sold my basket press because I hadn't used it in 3 years.
....

Curious about what volume you are doing with that type of press Joe.

[Joe_Sallo]

Under 1/2 ton now, I used to get around 30 36# lugs per year; now it's probably closer to 20. I'll make a very light Grenache from 2 to 3 lugs, the rest is typical reds. I always make a second wine at 1/3 of the original volume too. I use those 32 and 20 gallon NSF grade brutes for fermenters; I probably fill this twice on a 15 to 18 gallon batch since most of it's free run. I just ladle it though with an older Revereware 4 qt pot. I fill it about 2/3 full and throw another bucket on top to make the ram. Very sophisticated...

[haythrower]

I bought this press last year, and we used it on 100 lbs of Pinot Gris. It worked very well, and am looking forward to using this year on a larger batch. The size for a small operation is just right.

[bzac]

I have the 90 Litre speidel and love it.

More returns better quality and physically easier to use than my old wooden basket press.

The 90 is 1300 vs - a grand for the 40 .

I would consider the 90 , the 40 may prove undersized if your quantities grow eith through your vines or purchased grapes

But if your winemaking will remain limited your vines the 40 will be fine

once you've tried a bladder press its hard to go back.

whole cluster pressing is almost impossible without one.

[AVV with GKBBJ]

Bret, I have approximately the same number of vines as you. I decided a few years ago to build a press similar to Hammered's. It works very well for the quantity I am dealing with right now and saved me quite a few $$$. However, I do need a C/D and have been looking at getting one of those.

Gary

[Gallamore]

Hi all,

Been awhile since I was on this forum. But my vines are three years old now so I'm back. Great to see the activity.

I was just looking at the same press. It looks like it is not stainless where the wine runs out. Is it painted? That was a big drawback on the basket press as over time the paint peels off an goes in the wine with the wasps and fruit flies. I'd like to keep most of that out of the wine from now on...

Chris

[bzac]

its a bullet proof epoxy paint .

when it gets old you could always have it powdercoated for a bout 50 bucks.