Vineyards are expected to generate around $339.1 billion in revenue during 2024, which is a huge global economy that will need ample support in streamlined systems and plastic storage solutions. While the UK isn't a vineyard haven, the wine-making sector in England and Wales is worth around £10 billion in sales during 2024 and is expected to grow. The top five vine-growing countries are Italy, France, Spain, the United States and Argentina. Wine is a global commodity and the UK is the third largest importer of wine. 

 

Vineyards are demanding environments due to the sensitivity of grapes in either their growing, harvesting, storing or distribution stage. They need to be kept in controlled conditions to make sure the quality is preserved right the way through the production line. A controlled environment will produce high quality wine and directly impact the satisfaction of the end consumer.

Why Vineyards Need Reliable Storage 

Vineyards require specific needs to be met, as grapes can be sensitive to environmental changes and their freshness needs to be preserved during the cultivation and winemaking process. 

 

Specific storage needs for grapes are that they need to be stored in temperature-controlled environments as they are highly perishable. To maintain their quality when being harvested you need the correct storage conditions and boxes to help avoid premature fermentation or spoilage. The humidity of grapes is vitally important as it can affect the flavour and quality of wine, as grapes can lose moisture easily. Your plastic storage containers should have proper ventilation to avoid moisture buildup or cause shrivelling or mould growth. Another variable that can affect grapes is the oxidation process, when grapes are exposed to oxygen they can degrade causing contamination and flavour risk. 

 

Once the grapes have been processed and then turned into wine you’ll need to think carefully about the next stage of variables that could affect the quality of your wine. A stable temperature makes sure wine ages properly, fluctuating temperatures can spoil wine by causing expansion and contraction of the liquid leading to leakage or oxidation. As well as the early stages of grape picking, humidity then affects bottled wine as it can cause the cork to dry out, this will let air into the wine and oxidise it, altering the flavour profile and quality of the wine. Additionally, light exposure can impact wine, especially white wine and should be kept in low light exposure areas to prevent damage to the flavour.

 

Equipment for producing wine from vineyards can be expensive and delicate, which requires a stable container to not break or be damaged when they are being stored. Vineyards are valued assets for the globe and ensuring they are running efficiently and smoothly are paramount to wine production.

 

Precision in processing is what makes winemaking an art and requires attention to detail at every stage. Destemmers, crushers and fermenting tanks need to handle grapes gently to avoid damaging the flavour profile, they can become off or spoil. While the delicate equipment is being kept in controlled conditions, it needs to be sterile and hygienic to ensure that health and safety standards are met and avoids contamination from wild yeasts that will affect the condition of the wine further down the product line. Ageing vessels are a great way to age wine and develop desired flavours, tanks and barrels need to be made from materials that won't leach or negatively affect the wine or cause contamination to end consumers.

 

The key takeaway from vineyards and winemaking is that the environment must be controlled during the fermentation process, as the temperature plays a vital role in the speed of fermentation and the type of flavour profile for the wine. As well as the microbial control you will need to make sure that your equipment is clean and ready for use. You want to avoid there being unwanted bacteria or yeast growing in the fermentation process to protect the quality of your wine.

Benefits of Plastic Storage from Alison Handling

At Alison Handling we have a range of plastic storage containers that can help with every stage of the winemaking process, ensuring that you have a stable environment and a high-quality wine for your end consumers. The key benefit of our plastic storage containers is that they come moulded in food-grade polypropylene, which makes them ideal for those working in the winemaking industry as they will not negatively affect the flavour profile of your grapes or wine. We offer premium next day delivery or standard 3-5 working days, to make sure you have the plastic storage solutions you need without delay.

We recommend the following products:

1. Bale arm crates due to the wide range of sizes and colours they come in. They are ideal for transporting your grapes as they come perforated on the sides and base to make sure your grapes are efficiently ventilated. They are easy to clean and will preserve the freshness of your grapes before the first stage of your production line. Their reinforced bale arms allow you to stack them securely without damaging the grapes before they are fermented.

Plastic Maxinest Bale Arm Tray (Green, Perforated, 44L, 600x400x253mm)

2. Stack and nest swing bar crates are fantastic for harvesting and transporting produce. They will feature smooth and easy-to-clean walls that allow you to meet hygiene standards, and optimise your storage when they are not in use. As they nest inside of one another, you can get the most out of your space. They come with bale arms which will protect your grapes from stacking damage.

BA64225PJ perforated basket Size600 x 400 x 225mm

 

3. Stacking containers come in a range of sizes and colours that have solid walls. You can control the temperature of your harvested grapes and protect them while they are in transit, this gives you added protection and helps avoid accidental damage.

Euro Stacking Box 15 Ltr Solid Blue - 400 x 300

4. Stack and nest containers have solid walls with simple handles on either short side, they can save you valuable space. They come in 3 depths that will allow you to move different volumes of grapes from point A to point B, while being as efficient as possible.

180* Stack Nest container Size: 600 x 400 x 200mm

5. Pallet boxes will allow you to move large volumes and can be used in the fermentation stage as they will prevent any toxins from leaching in. They come with 3 runners for easy transportation and we can supply perforated versions on request. You can add lids to these containers for bulk ferment.

1200 x 800 x 740 mm Solid Pallet box

Our plastic containers are durable, lightweight and long-lasting which will help give you peace of mind that you are investing in the correct containers for your vineyard and the years to come. As winemaking can take a considerable amount of time to get correct and develop flavour profiles, you need plastic storage containers that will match this longevity. We recommend our brand new containers as they will be moulded from food grade polypropylene. 

Our ‘Buy Back’ scheme will allow you to recoup the value of your containers despite you owning them for a long time, to help upcycle old containers and allow you to reinvest into newer containers. Our recycled containers still have a place for you, they can be used to look after your delicate equipment but we would not recommend them for anything food-related.

Sustainability 

We offer a wide range of sustainable options to make sure your vineyard is sustainable for the future. We can offer a range of brand-new and recycled containers that will be a perfect fit for your business operations. If you need more support about which plastic containers to use then get in contact with our in-house team of experts, they will help guide you through the purchase decisions. We want to make sure you have the correct containers to meet your industry needs.

 

In summary, our plastic containers can increase the micromanagement of your vineyard and help you control the influencing environments that might alter the flavour profile of your wine. They will also be able to find solutions to your vineyard operations that could be holding you back from making the best wine for your end consumers. They will help streamline your harvesting processes and ensure your grapes arrive in the best condition. Stay ahead of competition with our plastic storage solutions!

Glossary of plastic products

The following plastic storage products are ideal for vineyard use:

  1. Euro Stacking Containers: Robust and easy to clean, perfect for handling grapes and wine bottles during harvest or transportation.
  2. Dolav Pallet Boxes: Heavy-duty boxes are great for bulk grape storage.
  3. Vented Crates: Essential ventilation during grape storage to maintain and preserve freshness.
  4. Plastic Pallets: Strong and lightweight, ideal for moving heavy loads of wine barrels or bulk containers.
  5. Recycled Plastic Containers: Sustainable and eco-friendly storage solutions for wine barrels and delicate equipment.

Explore more at Alison Handling (www.alisonhandling.com).