"A press is a press" , says Jim Carlsen, founder of Carlsen & Associates. Our competitors would have you believe otherwise.

      There is no magic, no voodoo, no divine intervention or luck in a wine press. The press is the machine that actually has the LEAST to do with overall wine quality. That is not to say that you cannot create winemaking problems with poor technique. You must know your fruit and your press. And that is where our pre- crush training comes in. You will encounter situations where you must be a little gentler, a little more patient, or more aggressive to get what you want out of any press. Most will do whatever you ask them to. 

What should you consider when buying a wine press?

1. Is it easy to clean? If you are doing this yourself or have very expensive labor that question is first. Our side membrane presses are the easiest to clean. We train you on our proprietary, water saving , super easy clean in place method.

2. Is it reliable? Ask us how many years we have gone without replacing a bladder. OK, I'll just tell you. As of 2006, we will have gone ten years nation wide without replacing a bladder. That's because our presses have NO MINIMUM LOADING. And because everything that can go wrong with ours fits in a briefcase; It just doesn't. 

3. Can I program it? Our presses are pre- programmed before you use them. There are 12 easy to use automated programs for all of your routine types of fruit and two ways to use it manually for that special lot. It is very easy to use. Remember: Carlsen are the guys who sell the two man crushpad. This is EASY. You can start, stop, inflate, deflate, and rotate all from right here- either manually or on auto- pilot.

4. What size should I get? That is a function of Economics and Ergonomics. Can you fit as much fruit in your press as you would like? Can you fit as much press as you like on your crush pad? How about in your budget? We will help you to not overbuy. See below for a list of capacities.

5. Is there service? We have have forced the competition to offer two year warranties- the same as we always had. But we still blow them all away with service. Ask our references!

6. What else should I consider? Buy the press from someone with a core strength in your equipment roll-a-dex. If you are already buying a must pumping system or destemmer from us, we will be there to check over your stuff before crush anyway. You may as well buy ours and get the warranty and support.  

7. What about the price? A press with good support and warranty and domestically available parts will ultimately  outlast its peers and prevent expensive fruit degredation during the inevitable down time of the bargain press. Translation: Buy service.