Pall Corporation adds that the Oenoflow system protects wine characteristics while significantly reducing winery operating costs. It also alleviates environmental concerns associated with traditional processing methods that utilise Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and basic depth sheet filtration.
Introduced in 1998, the Pall Oenoflow system for wine clarification is now installed in over 30 different countries representing every major wine producing region of the world.
"Pall developed the Oenoflow system to eliminate the use and disposal of filter aids like DE and provide operational benefits that include reductions in wine loss, utility usage and labour. Receiving our 1,000th Oenoflow system order is a notable milestone. It represents significant change in wine production worldwide during the last decade and is a strong testament to the benefits of the Oenoflow system," said Jonathan Pratt, president, Pall Food & Beverage and Laboratory.
Oenoflow systems have streamlined the winemaking process by replacing the combined DE and sheet filtration operations into a single process step. Clarification is achieved without the use of filter aids, centrifugation or interference with the organoleptic components of the wine. Using high area, hollow fibre microfiltration membranes, the systems efficiently remove suspended solids, yeast and bacteria that can impact wine quality. As an automated system, minimal labour is required during operation, significantly reducing winery costs.
The 1,000th system was ordered by California-based Sutter Home Winery, Inc., DBA Trinchero Family Estates, the 4th largest winery in the United States.
"In a competitive environment, wineries are under pressure to increase production yields and ensure quality while satisfying increasingly stringent environmental and food safety requirements. Pall's Oenoflow systems are a proven means to help wineries achieve these goals," Mr. Pratt said.
