Punch-Down Fermenter
Punch-Down Fermenter
The Wineficator Romat by Letina is a high-performance punch-down wine fermentation tank engineered for superior extraction and total process automation. Designed to simplify pigéage, the system features a heavy-duty pneumatic suppressor with a three-blade impeller. This suppressor mechanically breaks up and submerges the pomace cap, ensuring the maximum extraction of color, tannins, and complex aromas from the marc.
To prevent “channeling” and ensure 100% cap coverage, a specialized mechanism rotates the suppressor blades by 20° on every press.
HELI Rotating Sprinkler: Mounted on the rounded head, this centrifugal sprinkler provides uniform remontage (pump-over), soaking the entire pomace layer evenly.
Programmable Touchscreen PLC: A centralized control panel that automates the suppressor cycles, pump-over intervals, and precise temperature regulation.
Vertical Dimpled Cooling Jacket: The jacket’s vertical construction ensures that liquids are efficiently chilled even when the tank is not full, maintaining an optimal thermal environment for yeast.
Automated Pomace Discharge: Rotating internal paddles at the base sweep spent skins through large, rectangular doors, streamlining the unloading process after fermentation.
Optional Impulse Mixing: Integrated pneumatic devices at the tank’s sloped bottom release short air bursts, creating a delicate bubble-mixing effect for gentle homogenization.
Tank Options
- PU Foam Insulation
- Green Line Stainless Steel
Basic Equipment
• Pneumatic Cylinder (with 3 blades)
• Control Panel (touchscreen) – Cylinder Control
• HELI Rotating Sprinkler
• Pipe – DN32 DIN (with fitting)
• Manhole Cover – Round Ø400 mm
• Manway Door – Rectangular (type Z1500)
• Legs – Standard (Closed)
• Cooling Jacket (1 m2/1000 L)
• Thermometer (analog)
• Thermowell (with PG9 fitting)
• Sample Tap (DN15)
• Partial Discharge – Ball valve (DN32 DIN)
• Total Discharge – Ball valve (DN65 DIN)
• Vent Valve – DN50 (PVC)
• Mesh Screen
• Level Indicator – Ø16 mm acrylic tube (scaled, open)
• Type Plate – With note card
• Ladder Rack – Coat height 1500 mm onwards
• Welding – Brushed finish
Additional Equipment
• Automatic Pulsation Devices
• Control Panel (touchscreen) – Temperature and Pump Control
• Pump (for pumping over)
• Manway Door – Custom sizes
• Additional oval door (on hinge)
• Legs – Adjustable height and tilt
• Heating Jacket
• Cooling Jacket (>1 m2/1000 L)
• Bottom-mounted electrical heater
• Digital thermoregulator (with temperature control)• Electromagnetic or electromotor valves
• Ball or butterfly (Clamp, Garolla, WG, Macon, GAS, etc.)
• Stainless steel caps (on all valves and fittings)
• Inclined stirrer fitting
• Inert gas fitting
• Level Indicator – Ø24 mm acrylic tube (scaled, closed)
• Decanter
• Welding – Brushed and polished (Ra<0.8 µm)
• Other additional equipment available per customer request
| Type | Volume | Ø (mm) | H (mm) | H1 (mm) | H2 (mm) | Bottom/top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP2400A14 | 2.400 lit | 1.402 | 3.182 | 1.500 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP3200A14 | 3.200 lit | 3.682 | 2.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP4000A14 | 4.000 lit | 4.182 | 2.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP4200A16 | 4.200 lit | 1.593 | 3.716 | 2.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP5200A16 | 5.200 lit | 4.216 | 2.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP6200A16 | 6.200 lit | 4.716 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP5100A18 | 5.100 lit | 1.752 | 3.740 | 2.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP6300A18 | 6.300 lit | 4.240 | 2.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP7500A18 | 7.500 lit | 4.740 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP8900A21 | 8.900 lit | 2.071 | 4.490 | 2.500 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP10500A21 | 10.500 lit | 4.990 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP13900A21 | 13.900 lit | 5.990 | 4.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP12300A22 | 12.300 lit | 2.230 | 4.996 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP14200A22 | 14.200 lit | 5.496 | 3.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP16200A22 | 16.200 lit | 5.996 | 4.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP14100A24 | 14.100 lit | 2.389 | 4.998 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP16400A24 | 16.400 lit | 5.498 | 3.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP18600A24 | 18.600 lit | 5.998 | 4.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP15500A25 | 15.500 lit | 2.501 | 4.980 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP18000A25 | 18.000 lit | 5.480 | 3.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP20400A25 | 20.400 lit | 5.980 | 4.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP25300A25 | 25.300 lit | 6.980 | 5.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP18300A27 | 18.300 lit | 2.708 | 5.095 | 3.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
| VIP21200A27 | 21.200 lit | 5.595 | 3.500 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP24000A27 | 24.000 lit | 6.095 | 4.000 | 500 | B4/T4 | |
| VIP29800A27 | 29.800 lit | 7.095 | 5.000 | 500 | B4/T4 |
Other tank sizes available per client request
Can't Find the Ideal Tank?
Talk to one of our engineers and describe your requirements. We will design a unique solution perfect for your processing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 20° rotation of the suppressor blades improve the wine?
Standard vertical punch-downs often compact the same areas of the cap. The Romat’s 20° incremental rotation ensures the three-blade impeller hits a new section of the marc with every stroke. This breaks up the entire cap surface, leading to more consistent extraction of anthocyanins and structural tannins.
What is the benefit of the vertical cooling jacket construction?
Traditional horizontal cooling bands only work if the liquid level reaches them. Our vertical dimpled jackets cover the height of the tank, meaning even if you are fermenting a small batch or a half-full tank, the cooling surface remains in contact with the liquid for precise temperature control.
Can the Wineficator Romat perform both pump-overs and punch-downs?
Yes. By combining the HELI rotating sprinkler with the pneumatic suppressor, winemakers can utilize both remontage and pigéage techniques. This dual-action approach allows for complete flexibility in cap management depending on the grape varietal and desired extraction level.
How does Impulse Mixing assist in the fermentation process?
Impulse Mixing is an optional pneumatic feature that uses short bursts of air to create rising bubbles. This provides a very gentle, low-shear mixing of the liquid, which is ideal for delicate extractions where mechanical agitation must be kept to a minimum to avoid breaking seeds.
Can I program different pump-over schedules for day and night?
Yes. The touchscreen control panel allows for complex scheduling. You can program the HELI sprinkler and the pneumatic suppressor to run at different intensities or frequencies at different stages of the fermentation curve, all controlled via the centralized PLC.