A method and system for monitoring wine fermentation is provided. The system comprises a sensor conduit and a sensor enclosure. The sensor enclosure comprises a leveling indicator that indicates if the sensor conduit is vertical.

Aspects of a monitoring system for winemaking are provided.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting phenols from a wood barrel whereby one or more of the wood barrels filled with a distilled spirit or wine are placed inside a container to which a gas transfer system is connected. The gas transfer system is provided with a pumping means for removing air from the cavity, filling the cavity with a gas, pressurizing the cavity with the gas, and reducing the pressure of the cavity. Means are provided for controlling the distilled spirit or wine evacuating from and absorbing and impregnating the porous structures of the wood barrel.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting phenols from a wood barrel whereby one or more of the wood barrels filled with a distilled spirit or wine are placed inside a container to which a gas transfer system is connected. The gas transfer system is provided with a pumping means for removing air from the cavity, filling the cavity with a gas, pressurizing the cavity with the gas, and reducing the pressure of the cavity. Means are provided for controlling the distilled spirit or wine evacuating from and absorbing and impregnating the porous structures of the wood barrel.

Disclosed herein is a process for the conditioning of wood barrels, in particular, a process for the rapid conditioning of wood barrels. The disclosed process may comprise one or more steps comprising: subjecting a wood barrel to heat to increase the temperature of the wood; contacting the heated internal surface of the wood barrel with a fluid additive; and then optionally: subjecting the interior of the wood barrel to a pressurised environment; and/or subjecting the wood barrel to further heating; repeating one or more steps; and allowing the wood barrel to cool, or cooling the wood barrel, to provide a conditioned wood barrel. Also disclosed is another process comprising the step of providing a bladder and a liquid additive within the interior of a wood barrel for a predetermined time to facilitate absorbing the additive into the wood, wherein the bladder reduces the interior volume of the wood barrel such that the liquid additive is in contact with the internal surface of the barrel. Also disclosed herein are conditioned wood barrels and uses thereof.

A multipurpose device used in fermenting wine as a filter for hydrometer testing, siphoning, and a cap punch is disclosed. The filtering device includes a perforated vessel, tubular in shape, with a flange which floats on the cap of the must or fermenting wine and stabilizes the filtering device within the primary fermenter, while the submersed portion of the vessel, below the flange, fills through perforations with liquids free of debris for testing, siphoning, or sampling; a multi-ringed siphoning attachment inserts into the tubular shaped vessel of the filtering device, snaps into place on the rim of the vessel, and securely holds a siphon hose in place within the primary fermenter for siphoning; and a handle which, when snapped into place on the rim of the filtering device, converts the foot of the filtering device to a cap punch.

A multipurpose device used in fermenting wine as a filter for hydrometer testing, siphoning, and a cap punch is disclosed. The filtering device includes a perforated vessel, tubular in shape, with a flange which floats on the cap of the must or fermenting wine and stabilizes the filtering device within the primary fermenter, while the submersed portion of the vessel, below the flange, fills through perforations with liquids free of debris for testing, siphoning, or sampling; a multi-ringed siphoning attachment inserts into the tubular shaped vessel of the filtering device, snaps into place on the rim of the vessel, and securely holds a siphon hose in place within the primary fermenter for siphoning; and a handle which, when snapped into place on the rim of the filtering device, converts the foot of the filtering device to a cap punch.

The invention relates to a method and a device for preserving wine-based beverages and to use of the device for this purpose.

The invention relates to a method and a device for preserving wine-based beverages and to use of the device for this purpose.

The invention relates to a method for devatting the grape harvest and a means for devatting a grape harvest via the pressurised injection of air or other gases in a controlled manner into self-emptying wine making vats or similar, for the purpose of emptying the grape harvest once the maceration thereof has been completed, after the homogenisation of the mixture, transferring the liquid portion to another tank and the crushed grape pulp to the press, thereby obtaining a solid phase (pomace) as a waste product which can be used to produce associated products.