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GRAPE GRO WING time and attention, and it was inadequate for her needs of 5,000 or more gallons per year. The 50-gallon refiner combined waste food oil, methanol, sulfuric acid and lye, and it produced 40 gallons of biodie- sel. "It also produces 7 pounds of glycerin, and that was a concern." "If I had 10 acres to tend, I'd definitely use the brewer," she said. WECO M.O.G. Sorter Optical Sorting of Stems, Jacks, Shot Berry and Foreign Material Based in California Rental and Purchase Options Sorting and Automation Solutions Ad 380-7 Fine Wine Begins with Mueller_Layout 1 4/14/11 8:59 AM Page 1 1-800-984-0844 / wecotek.com John Deere recommends using fuel conditioners with biodiesel. Beckstoffer blends its own Beckstoffer Vineyards, which farms about 3,000 acres in Califor- nia's Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties, uses a mix of 50/50 biodiesel and petroleum diesel fuels. Beckstoffer employees blend the two, because the company's supplier can't legally blend fuels. Shop manager Paul Rossopoulos says Beckstoffer has used the mix for five years. "It has some drawbacks," he admitted. "The shelf life is shorter than regular diesel, and it doesn't work in cold weather." They don't use it in equipment involved in frost protection, for example. Like Hall, Rossopoulos has run into problems with gaskets and seals, and he finds that problems worsen as the equipment sits. Fortunately, newer replacements made of neoprene are more resistant to the solvent properties of biodiesel. "Natural rubber is very susceptible to biodiesel." He stores the diesel in above-ground tanks since glycerin is formed as it sits. They drain the gel-like substance and use it as a solvent. Rossopoulos has found that the cost of the fuel doesn't neces- sarily track that of petroleum, and he has averaged about 50% higher costs for the biodiesel. Trefethen likes B20 At Trefethen Vineyards, manager Jon Ruel has experimented with blends up to 100%, but Trefethen is now using B20 for all of its tractors and some trucks. "It seems to be a good balance of the benefits and liabilities." He initially had problems with clogged filters but says that fuel quality has improved. He also reports less power at high loads but likes the absence of particulate matter—a benefit for workers. Ruel has found the price varies significantly; he's paid as much as $1.50 more per gallon for biodiesel than petroleum diesel, and 75 cents less. "You could monitor the prices and buy what's less expensive," he notes. One winery contacted for this article is famed for its environ- mental practices. The winery reports that it has experimented with biofuels and has had some mechanical issues with equip- ment as a result. Representatives from the winery were not prepared to speak one way or the other on the topic as they continued to explore alternatives. Wines & Vines JUne 2011 55 Fine Wine Begins With Mueller Mueller® designs and manufactures stainless steel processing systems and equipment reflecting the superb craftsmanship and strict attention to detail that makes our products the most desired among today's prominent winemakers. Stainless Steel ® or visit www.muel.com for all your winemaking needs! ElectroSteam_June08 4/8/08 2:40 PM Page 1 ©2011 Paul Mueller Company at 1-800-MUELLER Call us today ® 380-7 ®