Winemakers are continually seeking innovative ways to improve colour stability, flavour extraction, and efficiency in the cellar. Delta Extractys, developed by Bucher Vaslin, represents a significant advancement in thermovinification technology. Designed specifically for red wine production, this system enhances phenolic extraction while reducing costs, processing time, and tank immobilisation.
Key Benefits of Delta Extractys
- Controlled Phenolic Extraction – Precise management of anthocyanins and tannins ensures consistent colour and structure.
- Enhanced Colour Intensity & Stability – Wines benefit from deeper hues that hold over time.
- Tank Efficiency – Up to 30% improvement in tank usage.
- Adaptable Settings – Operators can adjust extraction parameters for different grape varieties and desired profiles.
- Superior to Traditional Units – Outperforms conventional thermovinification in enological performance and flexibility.
Wine Profiles & Commercial Considerations
Delta Extractys is ideally suited to:
- Fruity, smooth, elegant reds with structure on the palate.
- Wines that can be marketed within two years, reducing storage time.
- Low-cost, rapid winemaking operations where efficiency is critical.
- Processes favouring liquid-phase fermentation with or without pre-heating maceration—eliminating pumping over and racking while maximising tank use.
Technical Specificities
Extractys Module
- Two EDPE-certified stainless steel pressurisation bottles with valves
- 20 hL stainless steel maceration hopper
- Transfer pump
- Process electrical cabinet
- Stainless steel DN 125 pipe flanges
- (Heating/cooling systems not included)
Extractys Processeur
- Two stainless steel pressurisation bottles, EOPE certified
- Inlet flange DN 150 / Outlet flange DN 200
- Bottles mounted on frame with process electrical cabinet
- Pressure safety device for inlet
- Air treatment plate for valve control & pressurisation
Delta Extractys vs Flash Détente
Operation & Management
- Labour: Both require one operator
- Cleaning: Extractys ~30 min vs Flash Détente ~2 hrs
- Water: Low-temperature water only (no overheated steam)
- Noise: Extractys operates quietly
- Adjustments: Easy manual parameter changes vs fixed Flash process
Vinification Flexibility
- Extractys allows liquid and solid phase vinification with controlled modulation.
- Flash Détente enforces all-or-nothing processing, with higher risk of colour loss.
Investment & Efficiency
- Extractys requires lower investment, heating only to 65°C vs 85°C.
- 30% energy savings on water heating.
- 50% reduction in fermentation time for heated grape juices compared to traditional vinification.
- Tanks can be turned over faster, maximising winery throughput.
Pressing Performance After Thermo-Detente
Trials with Cabernet, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Merlot demonstrated:
- High filling rates up to 96%
- Efficient extraction: up to 290 hL of juice per 25–38 tons of grapes
- Pressing times reduced to 1h30–2h30 compared to traditional methods
Operating Principle of Delta Extractys
- Filling Phase – Grapes are heated to 65–85°C.
- Pressurisation – Adjustable settings allow control based on grape variety, maturity, and desired extraction.
- Expansion – Pressure differentials weaken berry walls, boosting extraction by 30–70%.
- Continuous Operation – Successive batches handled at flow rates between 10–30 T/h.
Technical Characteristics
- Dimensions: Length 3000 mm | Width 2200 mm | Height 3700 mm
- Continuous operation with modular configuration
- Compatible with existing thermovinification lines
Vinification Possibilities with Delta Extractys
- Solid-phase vinification: treated and macerated grapes cooled from 45°C before fermentation.
- Warm maceration: 45 minutes to several hours, depending on wine profile.
- Liquid-phase vinification: rapid, efficient process with warm filtration and optimised must handling.
Delta Extractys can be integrated into both new thermovinification lines and existing winery systems, offering flexible modular setups suited to small, mid-sized, and large-scale Australian wineries.
For winemakers seeking faster turnaround, lower costs, and superior colour extraction, Delta Extractys provides a clear technological edge over Flash Détente and traditional thermovinification. By combining enological performance with operational efficiency, Extractys is designed to deliver wines that meet both market demands and cellar productivity goals.