Charles Grace, Author at Gorilla Products

Why Upgrading Barrel Masters is a Great Idea for Wineries

by Charles Grace | Feb 27, 2023 | News

If you are in the wine industry, you will know...

If you are in the wine industry, you will know that the storage and handling of your barrels is critical to maintaining the quality of your wine. Traditional barrel cradles, being the choice from a cost perspective, can be inefficient and even dangerous. That’s why transitioning to the Barrel Masters is a smart move for wineries looking to optimise their barrel storage and safety.

Pro’s of Barrel Cradels:

These racks have lower stacking heights, and all weight is supported by the bottom barrel, leading to instability and even collapse. In fact, Safework Australia, the organisation responsible for promoting safety in the workplace, has been focused on improving safe handling and use of traditional barrel cradles. Here are some of the concerns with cradles.

Cradles don’t allow for efficient access to the barrels
Makes topping, sampling, and pumping more difficult and
Time-consuming and harder for barrel-turning
No interlocking system

The Barrel Master, however, solves these problems and more, providing a safer and more effective storage solution for wineries.

Key Benefits of the Barrel Masters include:

High stacking capabilities: The Barrel Master allows for greater storage volumes with a minimal footprint, making the most of your space.
Safe and secure storage: The unique interlocking locating system optimises space-saving and structural checks, while the protrusion-free construction ensures the safety of machinery and personnel.
Versatile storage: The Barrel Master can accommodate thinner or uneven barrel sizes, providing greater flexibility for your winery.
Innovative rotation options: The Barrel Master offers a variety of rotation options, including part rotation, occasional 360° rotation, and frequent complete 360° rotation, allowing for easy access to all barrels.
Easy to move: The Barrel Master is portable and can be safely moved using a forklift.
Durable and long-lasting: The Barrel Master is available in pre-galvanised material or post-manufacture hot dip galvanisation for a longer life span. It also features a damage-resistant design with no sharp edges and seamless barrel turning innovation.

With full international design registration, the Barrel Masters holds Australian Registered Design No: 154262, USA Design Application No: 29/201283, Canadian Design Application No:106040, and International Design Application No: PCT/AU2004/000853.

By transitioning to the Gorilla Barrel Master, wineries can benefit from a safer, more efficient, and more versatile barrel storage solution.

Don’t let inefficient and potentially dangerous barrel cradles compromise your production. Talk to us today about how you can transition to the Gorilla Barrel Master.

Gorilla Master Barrel Solutions

Barrel Kings – New Barrel Storage Solutions

by Charles Grace | Jan 30, 2023 | News

Over the years, Gorilla Products barrel storage...

Over the years, Gorilla Products barrel storage solutions have improved drastically when updating from the Barrel Cradle to the Barrel Master, with improvements such as no longer relying on the structural rigidity of your barrels as a part of rack’s structure, improved stacking efficiency and ease-of-use. Since then, we have been working to further refine this design to further improve our stacking efficiency, maximum heights, safety, ease-of-stacking and more.

After years of research and development, we are proud to introduce our full-sized barrel storage solution: the Barrel King.

Barrel kings are a direct successor to the barrel master line of solutions, featuring a number of improvements including:

New patented cone shaped interlocking system on the tops and bases of the rack to improve stacking efficiency thanks to their self-locating design
Rounded base design to reduce scratching and damage to flooring
Optional spring locking system to allow for safe stacking up to 10 racks high
Damage-combating design with no sharp edges
Optional rotation options including part rotation, occasional 360 deg rotation and frequent complete 360 deg rotation
Highly versatile storage accommodating thinner or uneven barrel sizes
Greater access for topping, sampling and pumping
Strictly secure storage while bearing no weight on barrels

Gorilla barrel kings are built to engineering standards for their specified weight and height bearing limits and will increase the overall safety of your barrel store thanks to their heightened safety compared to barrel cradle style storage solutions.

Want to learn more? Download a free viticulture brochure here to view the full range of our products – Looking at building a new cellar door, barrel store or vineyard machinery shed? Check out our sister brand Spanlift Australia for more information regarding how we can assist with a complete solution for your winery!

Importance of Quality Grape Bins

by Charles Grace | Jan 24, 2023 | News

Wine production is a complex process that...

Wine production is a complex process that requires the use of different equipment to ensure that grapes are harvested, stored, and fermented correctly. One of the most important and most overlooked pieces of equipment for this process is the humble grape bin. The importance of quality grape bins is huge when it comes to avoiding failure during transport which could cost you heaps of money.

Gorilla grape bins are a popular choice among grape growers for their durability and strength. These bins are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, making them resistant to impact, weathering, and chemicals. They are also lightweight and easy to handle, making them ideal for transporting and storing grapes.

One of the key benefits of using Gorilla grape bins is their stackability. These bins are designed to stack with each other while empty, which allows for efficient storage and transportation. This feature also helps to prevent damage to the grapes during transport, as the bins will not shift or tip over.

Gorilla grape bins come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of grapes and vineyards. They can hold anywhere from 1/2 ton to 2.5 tons of grapes, and are available in both open-top and closed-top designs. The open-top design allows for easy loading and unloading, while the closed-top design helps to protect the grapes from the elements.

Another benefit of Gorilla grape bins is their easy cleaning and sanitation. The smooth, non-porous surface of the HDPE plastic makes them easy to clean and sanitize, which is important for maintaining the quality and safety of the grapes.

Upgrade your wine production with our top-of-the-line grape bins. Call us on 08 8423 1036 or email us at sales@gorillaproducts.com.au today for more information to learn more about our full range of viticultural solutions!

ENQUIRE NOW

Why Barrel Racks are the right choice for Your Winery

by Charles Grace | Jan 11, 2023 | News

As a winery owner, the quality and...

As a winery owner, the quality and durability of your barrel racking is crucial for the proper aging and storage of your wine. Gorilla Agri Products, an Australian manufacturer, offers high-quality barrel racking solutions that are designed specifically for the wine industry. Not only do they provide a safe and secure storage option for your barrels, but they are also compliant with industry regulations.

Furthermore, choosing an Australian-made barrel racking ensures shorter lead times and improved delivery, as the product is manufactured in the same country. Supporting local manufacturing not only helps to promote the local economy, but also gives you peace of mind knowing that you are getting a top-quality product that is made to withstand the unique conditions of an Australian winery. Gorilla Agri Products also offers custom solutions to better fit your winery needs and can meet on site or online to discuss a solution.

In conclusion, when it comes to barrel racking, Gorilla Agri Products offers a superior option for wineries. Our locally made, industry-compliant, accredited and certified, and customizable solutions ensure the proper aging and storage of your wine, while supporting the industry and local economy. If you would like to learn more, check out our barrel storage solutions here!

3 Things You Need To Know About Barrel Storage

by Charles Grace | May 17, 2021 | News

Anyone in the industry knows storage is critical...

Anyone in the industry knows storage is critical when we’re talking about barrels. With decades of experience in viticulture behind us, we know components that are a must – and some things to avoid.

There are three major components to consider when exploring storage solutions and designs – let’s take a deep dive into them.

Temperature

This can be difficult to regulate and control year-round due to our harsh Aussie climate, but it’s critical to proper storage.

A study conducted by The Australian Wine Research Institute illuminated that across a period of 12 months, the temperature had a significant effect on the end product. Phenolic and colour measurements and SO2 were the most significant differences.

Our dealings with Stephen Stoll is a great example of this. Operating a booming viticulturally based contracting business in the Barossa Valley naturally, growth in his equipment became a necessity. Trusting our expert experience and service, Stephen chose Gorilla Agri and Spanlift to facilitate this.

In constructing a Viticulture Implement Shed, temperature was a contributing factor including features that utilised and protected from natural light. The project was a massive success, and at every stage, all parties were engaged and working great together!

Sanitation:

Needless to say, sanitation in viticulture is a must. Studies show that the final product can be swayed and ruined if stored in an unsensitised barrel.

It’s important to note that with wooden barrels, microorganisms can burrow up to 8mm below the surface. If you’ve got wooden barrels, you might need to take a deeper dive into your cleaning process than if you were opting for a stainless-steel option.

Tips to consider when cleaning your barrels:

- - Tip barrels almost upside-down to drain any remaining liquid
  - Use a high-pressure hose when spraying
  - Initially use cold water to wash, then progress to hotter temperatures
  - Consider using steam or alternative treatments for persistent messes

Ensuring your barrels are stored with ample space:

Convenience aside, a crowded storage facility can make for dangerous working conditions. At Gorilla we carefully consider the dimensions of your space as well as the size of your harvest – both now and in the future. We do this to ensure that your space is optimised, making sure to leave no wasted space. There are a few ways we accomplish this:

- - Insulated wall and ceiling systems up to R5
  - Double skin cladding
  - Column placements suited to barrel storage patterns and barrel washing equipment
  - Maximising your barrel storage height
  - Door configurations and layouts to suit your operation
  - External loading canopies
  - Easy to clean wall and ceiling lining systems
  - A visual design that reflects your individual style
  - Design smarts that allow you to be able to extend the building with ease in the future
    - - Making expansion a breeze in the time to come

Additionally, we also pay attention to the aesthetic of our design and layout of your space – offering you a smart design that’s unique to every space.

Maximise storage space in your barrel room with the Barrel Master:

After outlining the importance of storage, how can you improve yours? Opting for the Gorilla Barrel Masters can up the ante when it comes to layout, design, functionality, manoeuvrability, and more.

What you get:

- - Strictly secure storage while bearing no weight
  - Highly versatile storage accommodating thinner or uneven barrel sizes
  - Greater access for topping, sampling, and pumping
  - Damage-combating design with no sharp edges and seamless barrel turning innovation
  - Dedicated customer support from our experienced local team

“A part of creating a beautiful brand is also creating a beautiful space for our customers to see and be part of it. And that meant we didn’t want to just put our barrels on pieces of wood or sitting out, we wanted to have them sitting proud for everyone to have a look at. So, we decided on the Barrel Master Racks,” said James, founder of Wildflower Gin and satisfied Gorilla Agri customer.

Gorilla grape bins and barrel racks are the preferred solution for key wineries around South Australia – contact us today to find out how we can help you with your storage needs.

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