Question 1

I am interested to learn more about your system. How can I get more information?

Answer

Thank you! Please reach out on hello@barrelwise.ca. We would love to connect, learn about your barrel programme, and how BarrelWise can help you manage it more efficiently

Question 2

Why did you decide to build this? Why now?

Answer

After discovering the challenges faced by wineries when caring for ageing wine barrels, the founding team thought that there must be an easy fix, and started BarrelWise. We quickly discovered that there are no easy fixes, but it was too late – the problem was very meaningful, and we could not let it go. Modern technology has changed wine production in many ways – optical sorters, smart fermentation tanks, artificial intelligence recommending the next bottle of wine to purchase, etc. Unfortunately, the winery cellars have not benefited from this innovation, and routine processes remain as time consuming and costly as they were decades ago. BarrelWise is working to change this for the better.

Question 3

What is the installation process for the BarrelWise system? Do I need to alter the barrels?

Answer

The BarrelWise system is designed to fit seamlessly into the wineries’ existing cellar processes. The bungs are installed the same as any normal silicone bung. They can be pulled out by hand at any time, if needed. The cart uses inert gas, either from a central system or gas cylinder, to move wine and control oxygen exposure. Rechargeable batteries power onboard electronics.

Question 4

Is BarrelWise equipment food safe?

Answer

Yes. All parts that come into contact with wine are made with food safe, FDA-listed materials such as food grade HDPE, silicone and 316 stainless steel. These materials have been confirmed as safe for the wine using chemical and sensory analysis of wine during trials of the BarrelWise system in winery cellars.

Question 5

How sanitary is BarrelWise equipment? Is it easy to clean?

Answer

Bungs can be cleaned and sanitized the same way as regular silicone bungs – by submerging them in caustic cleaner, then a sanitizing solution, and finally rinsing. For deep clean after prolonged usage, bungs can be separated into three sections – HDPE core, silicone outer and 316 stainless steel tube – and cleaned individually. The system also prevents cross-contamination between barrels by adding an automated cleaning cycle for all common wetted areas at the end of each barrel operation.

Question 6

How much time will the BarrelWise system save me?

Answer

Each winery cellar is different. Please contact us to discuss the specifics of your barrel work processes, and indicative time saving at your facility. As a general guideline, when using recommended nitrogen pressure, BarrelWise system currently tops 1 litre (0.26 gallons) of wine and up to 50ppm of SO2 in approximately 25 seconds. This time includes the sanitation cycle to remove residual wine from the bung and common wetted areas. Drawing a 100ml sample for external analysis adds approximately 10 seconds.

Question 7

How does the BarrelWise system add sulfites?

Answer

The cart measures out a precise volume of the aqueous potassium/sodium metabisulfite solution, based on the desired PPM addition, and correcting for barrel size. The sulfites are added concurrently with the topping wine.

Question 8

What SO2 solution concentration does the system use?

Answer

By default, the system is set up to work with pre-mixed 6% solution. System settings can be adjusted to facilitate other solution concentration levels as well.

Question 9

How well does the SO2 solution mix? Will I need to stir the barrel after making the addition?

Answer

The BarrelWise system is designed to execute routine barrel work, including SO2 additions, without opening the barrels. Sulfites are delivered below the level of the wine in the barrel, and followed through by the topping wine until the barrel is filled. This achieves significant turbulence inside the barrel, which generates a strong mixing effect. In-house testing suggests a comparable mixing effect after 24 hours as when manually stirring the barrels with a stirring rod or a baton.

Question 10

Can I easily remove the bung to access the wine for inspection, or analysis?

Answer

Yes. Bungs are placed and removed by hand, just like regular silicone bungs.

Question 11

Can I hammer the bungs in with a mallet?

Answer

Not currently. Existing bung design does not support hammering, as this may compromise the bung's air-tight connection to the cart. As such, the BarrelWise system does not currently facilitate arrangements where the barrels are rotated to the side (bung holes at 2 o’clock). BarrelWise is evaluating the demand for this feature. Please contact us if this would be of significant interest to your winery.

Question 12

How well do the bungs seal?

Answer

Bungs seals as well as, or better than, traditional solid silicone bungs. In-winery testing showed no adverse impact on acetic acid/volatile acidity or sulfites due to inadequate bung sealing. Additionally, each individual bung is pressure tested for a positive and negative pressure seal before leaving the production facility.

Question 13

Do you offer venting bungs, which can release gas from the barrel without breaking the seal?

Answer

Not currently. There is a clear tradeoff in bung design between a perfect seal and venting functionality. BarrelWise is currently evaluating the demand for this feature. Please contact us if this is of significant interest to your winery.

Question 14

What are the dimensions of the cart? Will it fit between barrel rows in my cellar?

Answer

The cart’s dimensions are 21” W x 36” L x 36” H . We understand that each winery cellar is set up differently, and space between barrel rows varies. If the cart cannot fit into the row, the length of the hose of the cart still enables access to all barrels.

Question 15

How long is the hose on the cart? Will it reach the back of my barrel rows?

Answer

Standard length is 10 meters / 33ft, however this can be customized to the winery’s specifications.

Question 16

Can my staff climb the barrels while carrying the head-unit of the cart to reach the top racks?

Answer

BarrelWise experience in winery cellars indicates that climbing the barrels is inherently unsafe for the operator, regardless of the topping method. This risk can be mitigated with the use of a platform rolling ladder or scissor lift. In all cases, the head unit is designed to be operated with one hand, and includes anchors to hook the hose to the barrel racks or ladder when not in use, or to lighten the load of a long hose.

Question 17

Can I take a sample for lab analysis or sensory tasting?

Answer

Yes. The BarrelWise cart allows for a sample to be drawn from the barrel using the on-board inert gas, to be used for external analysis. The cart is set up for a free-flowing sample method by default, however set volume sampling can also be implemented.

Question 18

It is critical to keep the bungs, and the area around them clean of dust and wine residue. How does your system address this?

Answer

The Cart’s standard operating mode includes a sanitation cycle which washes out all common wetted surfaces in the tubing and head unit, as well as the top of the bung, with a small amount of ethanol. This prevents transfer of wine from barrel to barrel, and helps to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Question 19

What data collection functionality does the BarrelWise system currently offer?

Answer

As of July 2020 (the time of writing): None. BarrelWise has been focused on completing the mechanical cart functionality of the system and setting up the manufacturing supply chain to enable immediate adoption by the wineries. This version of the system delivers increased speed, consistency, error reduction, cross-contamination management, and the ability to keep the barrels sealed for routine barrel work. The team is currently testing Operational Data collection functionality in winery trials. By April 2021: BarrelWise expects to roll out Operational Data collection functionality to client wineries and begin in-winery trials of the free SO2 Data collection. By September 2021: The free SO2 Data collection will be complete and rolled out to client wineries.

Question 20

What is Operational Data collection, and what benefits does it offer?

Answer

BarrelWise system is building capabilities to recognize and track every barrel in the cellar, recording all barrel work actions. Work orders for topping, sampling and SO2 additions will be delivered electronically, with the system guiding the operator in which barrels to work, ensuring efficiency and precision. BarrelWise will track the volume of wine and the amount of SO2 added to each barrel for the winery’s internal reporting, planning and quality assurance. It will also measure the time taken to execute the tasks, informing cellar crews’ training and management. Collected data will be presented in a base BarrelWise database, or to popular winery management software systems, through API integration.

Question 21

How does the free SO2 Data collection work?

Answer

The BarrelWise cart includes a proprietary on-board free SO2 sensor. Before each barrel is topped, it will take a small sample of wine and generate a free SO2 reading for that individual barrel. This enables precise, customized addition of sulfites and eliminates the over-sulfiting resulting from average composite sample readings. The free SO2 data is collected for every barrel in every topping cycle and analysed for inconsistencies. Problem barrels (where free sulfite levels are significantly lower than average for the group) are highlighted to the winemaking team. This enables early treatment and preserves the quality of barrel-ageing wine. Free SO2 data is delivered alongside Operational Data in the BarrelWise database or within popular winery management software systems, through API integration.

Question 22

How long does it take to generate a free SO2 reading? How accurate is it?

Answer

Current prototype of the sensor delivers a reading in less than 1 minute, to the same accuracy as commercially available branded off-the-shelf sensors. BarrelWise is targeting analysis time of under 30 seconds before rolling it out to wineries.

Question 23

Are you planning to add further chemical analysis functionality?

Answer

Yes. BarrelWise is planning to add pH and Dissolved Oxygen to the sensor pack shortly after delivering the free SO2 functionality.

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