Introducing the affordable new concrete Eco-Barrel via @constantcontact

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Introducing-the-affordable-new-concrete-Eco-Barrel.html?soid=1102645239779&aid=8VlVQru6Rrc

New space saving Vino Vessel, Inc. design "The Concrete Cone"

We are introducing our newest shape to our line of concrete fermenter's and storage vessels...

Meet the Concrete Cone

• 348 gallon vessel



• space saving design



• save money by not adding the optional front manway



• minimal head space
  
  
• This tank is priced at $5975

A little insight on concrete vessels:

Vino Vessel is the first company in the United States to usher concrete winemaking tanks into the 21st century, harnessing concrete’s timeless benefits while meeting today’s standards of sanitation, durability and portability.

Our modern concrete tanks ultimately represent the best of both winemaking worlds, merging numerous qualities of oak and stainless steel while offering several distinct advantages over both.

Comparisons to Oak

Like oak barrels and uprights, our modern concrete tanks allow for the natural oxygenation of wine, which is the primary benefit of oak aging. The effect is similar to maturing a wine in neutral oak barrels, to achieve a specific style or to develop strategic blending components.

Advantages over Oak

· More affordable storage per gallon
· Easier to clean and sanitize
· Less space intensive
· Less labor intensive
· Longer lasting

Comparisons to Stainless Steel

Like stainless steel, our neutral concrete tanks are easy to clean and sanitize, and they come in a wide variety of styles and capacities with standardized fittings. The lifespan of our tanks also rivals stainless steel.

Advantages over Stainless Steel

· Natural oxygenation for enhanced wine maturation
· Better natural temperature stability during fermentation and aging
· Reduces refrigeration costs

With Vino Vessel, you can ultimately achieve comparable quality to wines crafted in oak or steel, but with added energy efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Call us today to set up a complimentary consultation, and to learn how Vino Vessel can take your winemaking program to the next level. 805-238-2676

Killer Open House Coming SOON!

Open House & Tasting

at our office located at:

3850 Ramada Drive, C2, Paso Robles

May 11 & 12 from 12:00-5:00

Come say "hi", Check out our state of the art tanks, and taste through some fabulous local concrete fermented/stored wines from:

Chronic Cellars, Rendarrio Vineyards, Clavo Cellars, Saxum Vineyards, JC Cellars, Summerwood Wines, Edmunds St, John, and more.....

Give us a call for directions:

805-238-2676 office

or shoot me an email: Micah@vinovessel.com

Winemaker Notes from Ryan Render

For some time now, I have been somewhat skeptical of the newest fads within the wine industry. From the unoaked Chardonnay to the animal on the label wines, I believe that fads come and go. Consequently, when I began looking at the use of concrete in my wines, I desired to taste the difference. I visited with friend and winemaker Charlie Wagner of Mer Soleil in Monterey to taste through some of his wines. I was immediately impressed with the freshness and body of the Chardonnay we tasted out of the Vino Vessel concrete tank. The fruit was bright and clean, with no sign of reduction, as the stainless tanks presented. The weight of the wine was that of a wine that had been in barrel, but without the presence of oak. At that moment, I sought to utilize concrete tanks in my wines. This past harvest, I purchased a VV 150 Pyramid. The fermentation was perfect. The juice was 67 degrees through the entire ferment , even with no chilling and the tank was outside in the Paso Robles heat. Now tasting through the Chardonnay I put in my VV 150 Pyramid I am sold on Vino Vessel Concrete for my wines. Concrete tanks have been around for a long time and will continue to be, especially at Rendarrio Vineyards.

Ryan Render

Winemaker notes from Steve Edmunds

I spent 20 of Edmunds St. Johns' 25 years wishing I could make wine in concrete, after discovering that some of the finest wines I've tasted in nearly 40 years in this business were made entirely in concrete. They tasted that way for several really important reasons: first, they were made from really exceptional grapes, grown in great vineyards, second, the surface of the concrete didn't add or subtract anything from the aroma and flavor the grapes imparted to the wine, and third, the porosity of the concrete "freshened" the wine, keeping it from becoming bound-up, or marked by reduction. It sounded great, but after making wine using stainless and oak barrels for so long, I felt like I didn't quite know what to expect.
Concrete wine vats have been around for well over 150 years, so there's no rocket-science involved. When I learned how long Micah has been working with concrete, I felt I was in good hands, and when I met him, I was even more sure of it. He's a very good craftsman, and he 's long understood that the success of his business depends on making sure his customers succeed using his products. So I had him build me a tank, and I co-fermented some marvelous Syrah and Grenache grapes in it, and I've been thrilled from the first taste! There's a reason these vats are still around after such a long time; they make the grapes happy to become wine!

Facts about the 477 Gallon Cylinder:

Designed for versatility
Space saving 5 foot in diameter
Comes with a pair of 30 inch tall legs
Excellent temperature retention
Superior neutral storage
Standard santitation techniques
Longer life than wood products

Standard tank includes:
20" top door
16" x 21" man door
one 2" triclover racking port
one 2" triclover drainage port
one thermal well
one tasting port

It is always possible to customize a tank to better fit your needs. Please contact our office there are virtually endless possibilities.

Special pre-season pricing on this tank $7999
(if ordered before April 30, 2010) List Price $8450

Notes from Winemaker, Josh Beckett of Chronic Cellars

A NOTE FROM WINEMAKER, JOSH BECKETT, CHRONIC CELLARS

I have been good friends with the Beckett Brothers from Peachy Canyon Winery and Chronic Cellars for years. Josh Beckett (winemaker) currently has three Vino Vessels. They have two vv270 hippo tanks (the very first proto-type might I add) and one vv970 cylinder. He has given us a little insight on his experience with concrete tanks below:

For the second year in a row I have taken some of our Rhone white wines and fermented them in Vino Vessel tanks.

I am extremely happy with the wines. The fermentation tends to hold a steady temperature allowing for a nice and consistent fermentation. Sometimes ferments tend to get hot and the wine moves at a rapid pace. This can cause for some unwanted aromas and mouthfeel. With the slow and cool ferment via the concrete we are able to not blow off any good aromas while having a clean fermentation.

When the ferment is complete we have been able to leave the wine on the sur lees longer giving the wine a softer and rounder mouthfeel. At the same time we have noticed a fuller mid palate of these same varietals than we have in years passed as we are also aging these whites in the Vino Vessel.

We have also had great success fermenting reds again this year. We fermented Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Tannat this year in the Vino Vessel. In short I have noticed beautiful floral aromas from these varietals that I have not been introduced to in years past. At the same time the traditional aromas and flavors have been enhanced with the breathing of the concrete during fermentation without giving off flavors of a traditional barrel.

Cheers

Josh Beckett

Greetings from a very wet California Coast!!!

WOW! When you'r local weather forecaster tells the world that he not seen a series of storms this powerful in his whole career he means business! Here in Paso Robles we are soaked, flooded and yet grateful for this much needed rain! I thought it would be the perfect day to sit down and write up a blog on the happenings of Vino Vessel, Inc.

Well, 2010 is the start of what looks like another great year for us here at Vino Vessel, Inc. We are getting lots of interest on the theory of concrete tanks, and we love every mintue of it! We are in full force currently fufilling a 5 tank order of the VV1083 Cubes. Similar to the tanks in the insert at the top of this blog.

These particular tanks are 1083 gallons with a large 55" Top Lid for easy bin dumping. Also we have had good response on our state of the art sizemic friendly legs. They are very sturdy - not to mention they don't look too bad either!


We welcome the opportunity to sit down and chat with you regarding the theory behind concrete vessels. Please give us a call!



Micah, President 805-238-2676


Ryan Render, Central California Sales 805-391-3286

Steve Edmunds, Northern California Sales 707-337-6444


www.vinovessel.com

Le Familia de Vino Vessel, Inc.!

This is our very first blog for Vino Vessel, Inc. We would like to take a moment to introduce to you our Team! Since we are a family owned business it will not take very long.

Micah and Lacey Utter, President/Vice President are the owners of Vino Vessel, Inc. They are lifetime residents of Paso Robles "Darn Near Paradise". They have two small children and started their concrete vessel journey in 2007. After owning and running a successful Concrete Construction Company for over 12 years the Utter's decided to start a new venture.... concrete wine vats for storing and fermenting wine.
Our office manager Stacy Johnston, has been with us for a couple years now and is probably the sweet voice you will hear when you call our office. Shes there to answer your questions, and she can't she will point you in the right direction.
We currently have two sales representatives. Our central California Representative is Ryan Render. Being a winemaker and salesman already we found that he was a prefect addition to the Vino Vessel, Inc. Team!! Our other sales representative for the northern California territory is well renouned winemaker Steve Edmunds of Edmunds St. John Winery. We are thrilled to add his expertise and knowledge of winemaking to better help the customer with any winemaker questions they may have with their new tank!
We have several skilled craftsman in our warehouse where all the vessels are produced in Templeton, Ca. All of whom have been working with us for the last 3 or more years.
Anywho, That is who we are and in a future blog I will talk more about what we do! So please feel free to check out our website or stop in at our warehouse is you are interested in learning more about these state of the art vessels!
Cheers!
Lacey
3850 Ramada Drive "C2", Paso Robles - Templeton, Ca www.vinovessel.com