Bottling Information

Filtration

We offer a variety of options to suit your personal winemaking ethos, from minimal intervention through to full sterile filtration. If you prefer no filtration at all, just let us know.

Seitz K300 Lenticular filters. 3-4um Nominal Micron Retention Rating.
Seitz EK Lenticular filters. 0.45-0.65 um Nominal Micron Retention Rating
Sterile Cartridge filtration. 0.45um Absolute Micron Retention Rating

Wine should be delivered to the bottling plant in a ‘clear’ state and to the filtration grade required for bottling. If sterile filtration is required wines should be CrossFlowed (0.5 microns nominal) or equivalent. Please give prior advice if there are any specific filtering requirements. Additional usage charges will be applied calculated on the % of blockage of filters.

Note* All process water is filtered through 5 micron, 1 micron and 0.2 micron cartridges prior to use on the bottling line.

Sterilisation

Our bottling equipment is sterilised by hot water flooding at 90 degrees Celcius. The entire system (including filters) is pre-heated, and the temperature maintained by re-circulation for a minimum of 30 minutes before every bottling session.

Bottle Rinsing

Fully automated internal bottle rinsing is carried out by electronically controlled rotary rinser.

Bottle Types

We can accomodate 750ml Riesling, Claret and Burgundy, 375ml Rielsing, Claret and Burgundy and some 1500ml Magnums. Samples of unsusal bottles should be sent to us well in advance of bottling to confirm suitability.

Bottling Rates

Bottling rates will vary depending on the product and bottle/closure type used, but 2400 – 3000 bottles (200-250 doz) per hour can be expected.

Filling

We use gentle, low vacuum Bertalasso filling equipment which offers fill height accuracy to +/- 1mm

O2 Protection

In line with Industry best-practices, bottles are dosed with liquid nitrogen before filling to ensure effective oxygen removal and headspace gas dosing is applied immediately before fitting closures to ensure your wine is given the best protection possible.

Corking

We use and recommend vacuum corking. Tin capsules can be seamlessly applied using our equipment fo perfectly finish off your product.

Screw Capping

Both 30x60mm and 31.5x60mm screwcaps can be applied to most bottle types available in Australia.

Wine Pumping

We pump from the Winery using a soft start, variable speed pump controlled at the bottling line and carry a variety of hose lengths to ensure compatibility with your space.

External Bottle Drying

External bottle drying is achieved through a custom designed system using air velocity rather than heat to ensure the safe drying of bottles prior to labelling.

Labelling

Our labelling system allows the precise application of self-adhesive labels in a wide combination of styles. Please refer to our labelling page for more detailed information

Packaging

A wide array of cartons can be sealed by our automatic taping machine. Clients are reminded that stand-up dozen cases are the most efficient, while lay-down and 6-pack options can often require more labour.

Carton printing can be applied to the side of boxes with your choice of message.

Quality Controls

Control samples of all wines are taken and stored for 12 months. Where specific wine analysis is required post-bottling, all charges will be applied to the client’s account.

Biosecurity

Please inform us of any Phylloxera or disease control protocols that may apply to your vineyard, winery or local area when booking our services.

Winery Responsibilities

Although we provide everything we possibly can, there are some things we need form you…

Wine

Obviously…

Access

We operate from an 18 meter semi-trailer. If there is the possibility of access issues to your site, please contact us prior to booking so we can assess the situation.

Work Area

A flat operating area of at least 18×8 meters with a stable (compacted gravel or concrete) surface is necessary. This needs to be in close proximity to your wine storage facilities and accessable to a forklift once the bottling line is in place.

Power

Bottling requires 1 x 5 pin, 32amp outlet. MWP carries around 40 meters of cable. A standard 240v power supply is also needed inside the winery for the pump.

We can supply our own power via generator when needed at an additional charge

Dry Goods

All consumables including bottles, corks, screwcaps, labels, packaging, dividers etc are the responsibility of the Winery.

Water

Aproximately 500ltrs of mains pressure potable water is needed per day for use in sterilising, cleaning and production tasks.

Logistics

Forklift, pallets, bins, cellar stacks, or whatever else is required depending on your operational needs

Staff

The winery is responsible for providing staff to load bottles, place finished bottles into boxes, cellar stacks or bins at the end of the production line, as well as provide forklift support and winery assistance. We recommend a minimum of 6 staff members including the Winemaker. If packaging into 6 packs or laydown boxes we would suggest more staff are needed to ensure efficient operation.