Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/131907
winemaking press wine if he likes the taste. "The press is so gentle that sometimes the press wine is even better than the free run!" he says. Monticelli buys French oak barrels from 15 coopers, with about four primary suppliers and trials with others. Two barrels are placed in earthquakeproof racks made by Holt Industries. The system takes a lot of space but keeps the barrels clean, and workers don't have to be so careful stacking the barrels, particularly with barrels of different capacities and shapes. The racks are powder coated for longevity. Workers can tell at a glance which barrels are in use; they have painted the centers pink with wine. Unused barrels remain white. A Tom Beard barrel washer is specially adapted to use on the earthquake-proof individual barrel racks. ticelli keeps it at 55ºF, which he considers optimum for aging in barrels. It, too, has a vaulted ceiling with a nice touch: a chandelier with real candles that can be lowered by a motor for lighting during events. The chai holds two vintages totaling 1,000 barrels, but it has room for 1,400 barrels. The winery produces about 12,000 cases per year but has a capacity for 17,000. The company also has refurbished an existing small cave, which can hold 400 barrels. A second entrance had to be added for access, and Trinchero outfitted a small prep kitchen there so the cave can be used for events. In addition to the larger Like the tank room, the ceiling of the barrel chai suggests Grand buildings on the site, separate Central Station. The room is built into a hill, so while it is not a small utility structures house cellar, two sides are buried. mechanical and electrical systems as well as the water treatment system. The winery uses well water and, of course, doesn't use chlorine Chandelier lowers for lighting in the winery because of the risk of TCA. It has a large storage The winery is built into the side of a hill, and two walls of the GWKent_WE_Sept08.qxp 7/28/08 2:56 PM Page 1 tank for fire protection. barrel chai are underground, which helps cool the room. Mon- Wine Tanks, Presses, Grape Crushers, Pumps, Valves, Fittings and more! Guaranteed best quality and value with quick delivery from stock. www.gwkent.com www.wineryparts.com 1.800.333.4288 Win es & V i n es JU NE 20 13 39