Basket Presses

Basket Presses

Basket presses are traditional tools used in winemaking to extract juice from grapes. They consist of a large wooden or metal basket with a perforated bottom, and a pressing plate that fits inside the basket. The grapes are placed inside the basket, and the plate is lowered onto them, exerting pressure to extract the juice. The juice flows through the perforations in the basket and is collected in a container below. Basket presses have been used for centuries, and are still used today in many small wineries and vineyards. They are particularly well-suited for pressing small batches of grapes, as they allow for precise control over the pressure exerted on the grapes. They are also gentle on the grapes, which helps to preserve the delicate flavors and aromas of the juice. There are two main types of basket presses: vertical and horizontal. Vertical presses have a tall, narrow basket that is loaded from the top, while horizontal presses have a wider, shallower basket that is loaded from the side. Both types of presses can be operated manually or with hydraulic power. While basket presses are not as efficient as modern mechanical presses, they are still preferred by many winemakers for their gentle pressing action and the high-quality juice they produce. They are also prized for their traditional aesthetic, and many wineries use them as decorative elements in their tasting rooms.

winemaking, grape juice, traditional, gentle, small batches

— Christopher Anderson