System keeps oxygen pickup to a minimum for fine English wines, using inert gas dosing

MBF rinse-fill-cap equipment installed at Gusbourne Estate in Kent is helping to maintain the highest quality in its wine, with the winery aiming to fill in-house to an accurate level.

The most recent installation carried out by Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions consists of an MBF Synchrofill monobloc incorporating a rinser, filler, capper and corker. Additional features include a crown capper and inserters for bidules and Vinoloc glass stopper, meeting the requirements for a range of sparkling and still wines.

According to Evolution, the line can run at speeds of up to 4,500 bottles per hour, ensuring precise fill levels, optimal oxidation management, and superior cleaning processes, all designed to preserve product integrity with minimal maintenance.

Alastair Benham, head of wine operations at Gusbourne, is enthusiastic about the new installation. “This has been an exciting project to collaborate on with Evolution and MBF as Gusbourne continues its commitment to crafting premium English wines,” he says.

MBF specialises in filling premium and delicate products, minimising oxygen pickup during the filling process. The methodology used means that the increase of oxygen in the wines due to the filling phase can be accurately determined, and the performance of the filler effectively quantified, says Evolution. MBF claims to have defined the optimal conditions for creating an inert atmosphere inside the bottle before filling, while avoiding loss of pressure. The company’s patented system facilitates minimum nitrogen consumption and optimal injection of inert gas in the bottle, independent of bottling speed, says the UK supplier.

The partnership between Gusbourne and Evolution dates back to 2022, when the supplier installed and commissioned a Robino & Galandrino Capsulator and a PE Labelling Machine.

The former is able to orientate and pre-pleat capsules for still and sparkling products, combining this with a cork and wirehood presence detector. The PE Labelling machine is equipped with three stations for applying neck labels, partial or wraparound front, body and back labels.

Gusbourne planted its first vines in 2004, and is the only winery to have won the IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year award three times. 

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www.evolutionbps.co.uk