WILLMES PRESSES
Equipment for Wine Quality
For over 100 years, the Willmes name has been synonymous with wine quality. Since 1951, Willmes engineers have mastered the art and science of the pneumatic grape press with the unique combination of double-membrane technology and vertical juice drains for higher juice yields in less time. Technology that serves as the backbone of all current devices in the market today.
Leading the way in innovation, together Scott Labs and Willmes have pioneered the modern wine press through continuous improvement and four generations of collaboration. With over 500 presses installed throughout North America and over 10,000 installed worldwide, it’s no wonder Willmes is the leading supplier for presses in the wine industry.
Scott Labs has been the exclusive North American representative for the Willmes press since the 1980’s. We are proud to carry both the Merlin and Sigma Pneumatic Presses for top-of-the-line, high-quality wine production across varietals, regions, and terroirs. From Chardonnay to Cabernet, large production or small, the flexibility of the Willmes press can meet your quality and quantity needs. Contact us for more information.
A HISTORY OF QUALITY & LONGEVITY
1918
Willmes is founded
Willmes is started and the company begins operations.
1951
Willmes Presser
Willmes engineers invent the bladder press.
1974
Willmes Tank Press
Willmes invents the tank press - the first press designed as a tank with an integrated membrane in a half-cylindrical shell.
1982
Scott Labs & Willmes join forces
Our collaboration begins and together we install the world's largest tank presses at Charles Krug.
1984
Willmes Universal Press
First tank press with vertical drains and a full membrane.
2001
Willmes Progress Press
First closed tank press with vertical drains, double membrane and a central juice drain.
2004
Willmes SIGMA
First closed tank press with vertical Flexi-drains, double membrane and a central juice drain. Scalable up to 34 tons, all options available.
2020
Continuous innovation
Willmes & Scott Labs' collaboration continues on more than 3 generations and 35+ years.
PRESS FOR SUCCESS - NEXT GENERATION INNOVATION
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR WINEMAKERS?
Our Willmes 24 has been a significant upgrade in juice quality and press efficiency for our chardonnay program. Compared to traditional press designs, yields are achieved at lower pressures and shorter cycles. An additional benefit is cleaner juice. We go to barrel with optimal solids levels and minimal lees losses.”
Tom Klassen
Winemaker
Patz & Hall
Here at Shelton Vineyards, we have had the same Willmes press for 20 years and its reliability has been amazing! This press is the workhorse of our crushpad. It's variety of programmed press cycles gives flexibility for many different wine styles and processes, such as mechanically harvested and hand harvested fruit. We also manually create custom cycles for unique situations. The straightforward controls of our Willmes press allow multiple team members to operate it with ease so we never risk not having an operator available.”
Ethan Brown
Winemaker
Shelton Vineyards
SIGMA
- Flagship Willmes press
- Most modern and efficient wine press in the world
- Built for volumes ranging from 750-34,000 liters
- Hermetically sealed lids
- Flexible Flexidrain juice channels
- Central juice outlet
MERLIN Plus+
- Double-sided membrane
- Vertical stainless steel channels
- Large filling opening over entire length of press
- Built in 1,200-5,100 liter sizes