Upon returning from some long anticipated face-to-face time with our friends and customers at this season's wine, cider, mead, spirit and kombucha industry shows, we couldn't help but latch onto one recurring theme of conversation surrounding each beverage making community... sustainability.
While we see this term being used as somewhat of a 'buzzword' among many agricultural industry professionals, sustainability by definition is a life-long pursuit for those of us carrying on a legacy of responsible beverage making.
The Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) defines sustainability as "a comprehensive set of practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically viable. Those which conserve water and energy, maintain healthy soil, protect air and water quality, enhance relations with employees and communities, preserve local ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improve the economic vitality of vineyards and wineries."
To help our customers achieve this, we are dedicated to helping you use less to create the same (or a better) finished product.... less space, less oak, less water, less energy.
That is why we are excited to introduce the new Flextank S.E.C. system of beverage making: Sustainability, Efficiency and Control.
Sustainability
The sustainability of aging in Flextanks begins with a vessel that will far outlive the average barrel by around 18-20 years.
While these oak forests are carefully managed to maintain supply, fine oak for wine production is a limited resource.
On average, one barrel is made up of around 100 pounds of oak wood. With Flextanks, the amount of oak needed to achieve new barrel equivalent is only 6-8% of that!
Efficiency
Traditional oak barrel aging is a notoriously inefficient method of production.
Barrels store up to 35% less product than Flextanks in the same cellar footprint.
Barrels must also be topped at least monthly, cleaned more rigorously and rotated out as aging vessels more regularly. The ease of cleaning and sanitation of Flextanks greatly reduces need for excess water compared to oak, creating a much more efficient system.
Control
Using the available oak options, a beverage maker has ultimate control over the flavors aromas and textures imparted.
Using the coopers' general rule, in 20 barrels made the oxygen transfer rate varies greatly. 6 are similar, 4 are high oxygen and 4 are low. With Flextanks control is consistently delivered with linear OTR year after year.
This allows a high level of consistency and reproducibility comparable to traditional barrel aging, and for a fraction of the price.
Talk with one of our factory-trained winemakers at 360.980.2716 for any questions or to learn more about SEC!