Why do Wineries Need Air Compressors?

Your passion is vinification, ours is air compressors. 

Compressed air accounts for a large amount of energy consumption in the wine production process, especially in the production of grapes. A big part of wine-making is a result of the work of equipment and is dependent on its efficiency.

An air compressor should be located in well ventilated, shaded areas, out of direct sunlight. This includes the inlet for the compressed air system which should be located away from heat sources such as the compressed air outlet, refrigeration or air conditioning plant and equipment.

Winery Equipment Uncorked: What is Powered by Air

Wineries of all sizes depend on compressed air for powering continuous-duty machines from crushing grapes to bottling, labeling and filling. These machines require a very precise amount of clean, oil-free air to accomplish the following items:

Pressing Grapes: Air compressors are often paired with a bladder press to aid in pushing out the grapes juice through the vent holes.

Crushing Grapes: Sadly, villagers do not stomp barefoot in vats to crush grape harvests anymore. Teaming up with a pressurized bladder, compressed air slowly inflates the tank to press the grapes to the surface.

Heat & Cool Product: Monitoring temperature and keeping best temperature ranges during fermentation is a very critical part of making a great wine. Excesses above or below the ideal range will have a direct impact on your finished wine, including whether or not it finishes at all

Filter & Dry Product: Running a filtration system, which is the fastest and most efficient way to filter your finished wine before bottling.

Aeration: Aeration is an essential process of introducing oxygen to the wine to round out and soften. Oil-free compressors are ideal because they don't risk contaminating your masterpiece with oil - affecting the quality and the taste.

Bottling: Bottling is one of the most common uses for air compressors in wineries and smaller commercial operations. Pressurized air is vital for moving wine from the conditioning tank or barrels to the bottle, and for keeping lines clean and free of water. Bottling uses a lot of air, so getting the right unit is critical. If you select an undersized or non-continuous rated unit, it will most likely get hot and start "spitting" oil into the lines. Even with a water trap, oil filters, and water filters, contamination will still get through pneumatic lines and wreak chaos on your equipment.

Clean Air = Clean Wine: No matter what size the operation, you will want an oil-free air compressor that is UL-listed, comes with an ASME-certified tank and uses the right combination of air treatment accessories to produce the most contaminant-free air possible. But, if you're still using an oil-lubricated compressor, you'll need to incorporate refrigerated dryers and in-line air filters to remove moisture, oil, and other airborne contaminants. Whether you are a large winery coop or an independent, small winery, choosing the right air compressor and accessories will go a long way to protect your investment and the award-winning wine you create.

Our Air Compressor Pro's are here to help you develop a complete compressed air solution, providing you with the best selection and pricing delivered right to your door. If you need help deciding which compressor is right for your winery, Ash Air has you covered. 

Air Compressor Noise: Causes, Risks, & Solutions

Learn all about air compressors and the noise that goes along with them

Tips When Picking an Air Compressor:

As we wouldn't know which grapes to select for the perfect complex red, picking the right compressor for your winery can leave anyone unsure on such a big decision.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when comparing compressors:

1. Maintenance: Select an air compressor that is easy to maintain and to get into. Chicago Pneumatic compressors taking the guessing out of what to do. With detailed manuals to know what is required at each hour interval of your machine.

2. Replacement parts: Don't pick a machine that you have to track filters and parts down for. With a dedicated team (help@ashair.co.nz) it's simple to order parts and keep your machine always working at it's optimal performance.

3. Noise: Yes, noise is something to consider when selecting your compressor. No one needs a nagging employee complaining about the noise of a machine. Ask about the decibel chart and where the compressor ranks.

4. Installation: You need to be thinking about where this compressor is going to go. A quiet screw compressor  should go inside and can be right beside your employees with minimal noise. Looking to put your compressor outside? Keep in mind, not all compressors are meant for outside. Weather is a huge component to harming your compressor, so make sure you ask if they have a "weather kit".


6. Drains: Compressed air produces moisture in your machine. Drains are essential to draining that moisture out of your machine. Make sure you ask where the drains are located, are they automatic and how often you should be manually draining.

The most energy demanding piece of equipment in a winery is often the air compressor.

Air compressors must be adequately sized for their application. Many businesses make the mistake of installing a compressor, larger than necessary in size, to allow for future expansion.Our suggestion is to install a compressor that will operate closer to peak capacity and add a back-up unit for periods of high demand. The back up compressor can be fitted with a variable speed control which reduces the speed at which the motor operates during periods of low demand.

Energy Efficiency: Considered a Variable-Speed Compressor

Not only can a VSD save energy, especially when used with rotary or screw compressors which are quite inefficient at low or partial load, but the compressor motor is also placed under less stress during start-ups and shut downs. 

For smaller wineries that only use a single air compressor motor, the use of a VSD compressor can similarly reduce motor speed and deliver significant savings of between 15 and 40%. 

Explore Variable Speed Compressors

Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 10 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 270 L Receiver + Dryer

Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 10 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 270 L Receiver + Dryer

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Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 15 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 270 L Receiver + Dryer

Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 15 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 270 L Receiver + Dryer

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Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 21 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 500 L Receiver + Dryer

Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 21 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 500 L Receiver + Dryer

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ALUP ALLEGRO 110 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

ALUP ALLEGRO 110 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

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ALUP ALLEGRO 132 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

ALUP ALLEGRO 132 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

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ALUP ALLEGRO 160 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

ALUP ALLEGRO 160 Oil Injected Screw Compressor with Variable Speed Drive

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Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!

Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!

  • Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
  • Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
  • Nitrogen Generation
  • An extensive line of Air Treatment components
  • AIRnet Piping System and  Filtration
  • Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers

Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products are used extensively around the world in industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world-class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported with nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.

Reliability and Efficiency

With Ash Air, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts on the following:

  • Increasing uptime
  • Reducing unexpected repairs
  • Reducing energy consumption and meeting our sustainability goals
  • Improving the cleanliness of compressed air


Talk to the team today:  CONTACT US CONTACT US

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