Demoisy Crusher/Destemmer

The Demoisy Crusher/Destemmer: Gentle Processing for Premium Wines

In the intricate journey from grape to glass, the initial stages of harvest processing hold immense significance. How grapes are handled upon arrival at the winery profoundly impacts the potential quality and character of the resulting wine. This is where equipment like the Demoisy Crusher/Destemmer steps into a critical role, offering winemakers a sophisticated tool for efficient and gentle preparation of their fruit.

The Core Function: Separation and Liberation

The Demoisy machine combines two essential pre-fermentation processes into one streamlined unit:

1. Destemming: This process meticulously removes grape berries from their stems (rachis). Stems contain tannins and other compounds that, if excessively extracted during fermentation, can impart harsh, green, or vegetal notes to the wine. Efficient destemming is crucial for producing clean fruit flavors.
2. Crushing: Following destemming (or sometimes integrated within the same chamber), the berries are gently crushed. This breaks the skins to release juice (must), pulp, and seeds – initiating contact between these components essential for color, tannin, and flavor extraction during fermentation. Crucially, modern crushers like Demoisy’s are designed to crush effectively without damaging the seeds inside the berries. Seed damage releases bitter oils and excessive harsh tannins detrimental to wine quality.

Demoisy’s Approach: Precision Engineering for Quality

Demoisy equipment is recognized for its robust construction and thoughtful engineering tailored to winery needs:

Gentle Yet Efficient: The heart of a Demoisy destemmer-crusher typically involves a rotating cylindrical cage perforated with specifically sized holes. As grapes enter, paddles or fingers gently guide berries through these holes while retaining stems inside for ejection out the end. The crushing mechanism often employs adjustable rollers positioned after destemming or integrated within a separate section below the cage. These rollers can be precisely spaced to achieve the desired level of berry breakage while minimizing seed fracture.
Food-Grade Materials: Constructed predominantly from high-quality stainless steel (AISI 304 or 316), Demoisy machines ensure durability, corrosion resistance, and meet stringent hygiene standards vital in winemaking.
Optimized Flow: Careful design of hoppers, augers (screw conveyors), paddles/fingers, and must outlets ensures smooth grape flow through the machine without blockages or excessive turbulence that could damage fruit.