I was up at MoreFlavor looking for some last minute items to wrap up the 2009 red wines I've been working on. I was still looking at pumps and canes to rack the wine out of my barrels when their showroom guy told me their floor model, inert gas racking tool was the last one they had and that I could have 15% off the retail cost. SOLD!
This thing is sweeeeeeet. I already have the gas tank and upgrade to a butterfly valve. This is the tool of the professionals and when you hold you realize, this is one hard-core toy.
Basic premise is this: inert gas like nitrogen or argon is fed into the cane then the pressure pushes the wine on the barrel up and out of the cane through a second tube. It's perfect because its clean, sanitary and eliminates unnecessary air exposure during rackings.
I know its sorta overkill for 3, 15-gallon barrels but com'on, this is fuckin' cool. I want to get the sight glass piece to put in the middle so I can see when fine lees are being fed through thus ceasing the transfer.
...maybe this is the start to increasing production for next vintage since I can move more wine more easily. Shhh... don't tell the wife!
