We can use “basket presses” or so-called “ratchet presses,” and on the other side, we have a more modern variant called “bladder presses.” These are the two most recognizable variants of the grape press machine. And what is the primary purpose of a winepress? The primary purpose is to separate the juice or fermented wine from the pulp, skins, and seeds. All those ingredients are the solid parts of the grape. This separation is done by squeezing, which is a better procedure than, let’s say, a centrifuge. As customers, you have an opportunity to choose between cheaper basket presses, but I highly recommend bladder presses. Of course, you have to select any press size depending on your quantity of grapes.

Purpose of Grape Pressing

In the production of white wines, the pressing of the grapes is immediately followed, and at the latest, the next day, if the white mash is cold macerated. A red must go to press after the maceration is completed, which, depending on the style and category of wine, can last from three days up to a month or more.
During the pressing, the hard parts are separated from the liquid (must). Increasing pressure increase the unwanted substance in the liquid. These problematic substances are presumably found in stems, seeds, and strawberries. Injuries do not only increase the amount of hard matter but also the proportion of unwanted substances. The quality of the wine is therefore reduced. The extent to which grapes are damaged depends on the elasticity and resistance of the strawberries.

Older Type of Grape Press Machine – Basket Presses

This grape press machine is based on various technical solutions: pneumatic, horizontal high performance, and vertical, smaller capacity. Pneumatics are the most sought-after due to their large capacity and easy cleaning, which is very important in the short harvest season. The white mash is pressed separately from the red, and efficient cleaning is also advantageous.
The most traditional press, which was until recently extended in all cellars and is still in use, is the basket press. At first, the drive was manual; later, it was upgraded with hydraulics and later powered by an electric drive.

Newest Type of Grape Press Machine – Bladder Presses

The development of presses has been very intense in the last 30 years. A specified period was the most widespread piston but was successfully excreted by the pressurized presses. Pressure in the drum is, at most, up to two bar; most of the grape must be drained at a pressure of up to 0.2 bar.

Equipment for Presses and Operation

The grape press machine is filled through the door on the drum or centrally. During the central filling, the mash is simultaneously drained. It is also possible for the drum to rotate during the central filling, which allows for the filling of a larger quantity of mash. However, simultaneous central filling of the mash and rotation of the drum increases the sediment and hurts the wine’s quality.
This is not such a dangerous process if the grapes are healthy. However, if the grapes are rotten or too mature, there is further damage to the strawberry cells’ tissue, which increases the proportion of colloids that make it difficult to drain the must from the drum.
The press’s filling should be carefully planned to take into account the specificity of the variety, year, degree of maturity, and degree of rot. Preliminary procedures in the processing of grapes, such as removing the stalk, pumping, and maceration time, affect the compression result to a greater extent than the compression program itself, including pressure, cycle, and crushing of the cake.

Bladder Press or Basket Press.

How Do the Baskets Presses Operate?

Grape Press Machin operates by pushing grapes or must from top to bottom. You give the must or the grapes in the wooden basket until it is quite full. On the top, you place two pieces of wood in the form of a moon. At the top of this, then the wooden blocks are folded. Put the blocks by crossing them. Put them so much that they reach the height of the basket. Fold them next to the central-iron shaft. Then put the handle into the ratchet assembly. The handle is tightened with movement to the left and the right, pushing the wooden blocks down.

In this way, we get one of two results from those types of gape press machines: 

1) To get as much juice as possible, we squeeze grapes, seeds, and stems too hard. The result is too much bitterness in the wine.
2) To avoid these unwanted flavors, do not squeeze too much. As a result, we get quite a good wine or juice but less.

How Do the Bladder Presses Operate?

These presses work by pushing grapes or must from the center outwards, so from the inside to the outside. This causes uniform pressure on grapes or must. There is no need to choose between quality and quantity in this method. Also, it speeds up the work in this way. For this reason, we are satisfied with a smaller press. This makes the press easier to move because it is lighter and is usually on wheels. It is lighter for two reasons. In short, working with such a press is much more enjoyable. It’s also much easier to clean it.

Size of Grape Press Machine

The size of the press depends on at least three factors. How much grape do I have to press? How much can I do in one cycle? How long will it take for each pressing?

As with other wine production procedures, the preparation time and the time we will use for cleaning are also crucial in pressing.

In any case, you do not want that the grape pressing to last 12 hours or more. The goal should be a maximum of 5 hours of work.

If the amount of your crop in one harvest cycle is below 500 liters, then this grape press machine you see in this picture will still be enough for your needs. It is easy to handle and easy to clean. My press is about that size, and I make 500 to 1000 gallons of wine without too much effort. Click on the picture if you wish to know more about it.