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Concrete Tanks
Fermentation and storage vessels come in many shapes and sizes
Part of what seems to be fueling winemakers’ increasing interest in concrete tanks is the wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles that suppliers now offer. Most new wineries seem to have one or two concrete tanks, and eggs and cubes continue to be the most popular concrete styles for fermentation. Suppliers say most tanks are sold unlined, as that ensures the benefits of micro-oxygenation and gives wine the subtle mineral nuances that also make concrete popular. The tanks can be washed with a sodium percarbonate solution and then sanitized with a rinse of aqueous ozone. Steam and water hot enough to sanitize (180° F) are not recommended, as the heat can cause cracking, especially if the tanks have embedded glycol coils, which can expand when hot.
NICO VELO
The new Eiffel tank by Italian supplier Nico Velo holds more than 1,000 gallons and is designed for red wine fermentation and aging. Imported through iPak Wine in Templeton, Calif., the tanks feature a large top door and embedded pipes in the tank walls for warm or cold glycol. Originally designed for wineries in Bordeaux, the tanks are narrower at the top than the bottom to compress the cap throughout fermentation. Nico Velo also introduced a new design of the top hatch for its tanks. The lid now features a drain collar with a small pipe embedded in the concrete to drain off any spills. The Eiffel is available in capacities from 20 hl (528 gallons) to 110 hl (2,905 gallons), and the starting price is $12,540.
ipakwine.com
SONOMA CAST STONE
One of Sonoma Cast Stone’s newest designs is the NuBarrel, which is a stackable tank designed as a barrel alternative. According to the Petaluma, Calif.-based supplier, the tank holds as much wine as four standard barrels but has a lifespan of nearly 40 years. The tank can be fitted with a racking port and stainless steel top hatch for fermentation or equipped to primarily serve for storage and maturation. Optional features include sensors that monitor the level of wine in the tank and issue alerts based on volume. Oak adjuncts can be used with a stainless steel mesh insert tube or an oak stave array. An adjustable, stainless steel insert can also be used to administer a precise rate of oxygen. The starting price is $6,500.
concretewinetanks.com
VINO VESSEL
Paso Robles, Calif.-based Vino Vessel reports its open-top cube fermentors continue to be a popular selection. The tanks range in capacity from 935 gallons to more than 3,000 gallons and feature a large access door on top as well as 2-inch racking and drain ports on the front. One new design element: The tank valves and sample port all fit into the stainless steel front door rather than through the concrete. The tanks also feature a floor set at a 3% grade to make emptying them easier. Glycol coils can be embedded inside the walls. Prices start at $10,500.
vinovessel.com
NOMBLOT
French manufacturer Nomblot, which is sold in the United States through Artisan Barrels & Tanks in Oakland, Calif., developed a new type of tank that is similar to the company’s egg-shaped fermentor. The KB35 tank is a custom project for a well-known Sonoma County Pinot Noir winery and looks similar to an oak fermentation vat but has the curved walls of a concrete egg tank. The tank’s interior is curved so juice and must moves with the gentle current created by fermentation. The tank can hold 925 gallons, and standard features include a stainless steel side hatch, 2-inch racking and drain valves, sample valve and a 47-inch stainless steel lid. Optional equipment includes a glycol heating and cooling system and seed screen. Starting price is around 12,000 euro ($13,321).
artisanbarrels.com
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