At the Colmar Wine Fair, a must-see event on the summer wine calendar, innovation was not only in the glasses. The company Costral, well-known for its high-performance bottling lines, was presenting for the first time its new modular filtration skid. This innovative solution is designed to support wineries in their evolution, offering them a progressive, technical, and tailor-made response to their filtration needs. The system was presented by Julien Demangeat, project manager at Costral, and developed in partnership with Pemflow Technofiltre, represented by Arnaud Bonnetain, a specialist in filtration media and organoleptic performance. Together, they are shaping a new vision of filtration: adaptive, qualitative, and serving the wine.
An evolving skid to meet real needs
What sets this filtration skid apart is above all its modularity. Unlike conventional equipment, often fixed in their configuration from the moment of purchase, the Costral solution allows the winemaker to start with a basic module and gradually expand the system as their business grows, as constraints arise, or as commercial ambitions evolve. A producer can thus invest cautiously in the beginning, then add a second or even a third module, depending on whether they want to filter more finely, increase hourly throughput, or integrate water treatment. The modules are designed to operate independently or together, in series or in parallel, ensuring unprecedented operating flexibility in the sector. This flexibility is made possible by smart standardization: all components (piping, fittings, frames) are compatible with each other, compact, robust, and available both on fixed stands and on casters for better ergonomics in the cellar.
Filtration designed as an oenological tool
But behind this technical architecture lies a philosophy centered on wine that drives both companies. “Too often, filtration is seen as a hygienic obligation, whereas it is a powerful organoleptic lever,” explains Arnaud Bonnetain. Thanks to a wide range of filtration media, with different porosities, and to trials carried out in the cellar, Pemflow Technofiltre enables winemakers to choose the solution that best respects their wine style. During demonstrations, the results were spectacular: depending on the chosen medium and threshold, the same wine presented different aromatic profiles. “Some winemakers literally rediscover their cuvée in a whole new light. It gives them control, right up to bottling, over the final signature of their wine,” he continues. This educational and participatory approach is appealing, as it values the producer’s know-how while providing rigorous technical expertise.
Water quality in the service of wine quality
Another major asset of this skid is the integration of a water treatment module, which has become crucial for many wineries. Indeed, variations in water quality in certain regions can cause organoleptic deviations in wines, particularly due to excessive chlorine or haze. The dechlorination module offered by Costral guarantees clean, stable water suited to cellar use, whether for cleaning or preparing wines for filtration. Even better, it helps extend the lifespan of filter cartridges and allows their maintenance with purified water, thus avoiding cross-contamination or aromatic alterations. This attention to detail shows just how comprehensive, coherent, and pragmatic the solution designed by Costral truly is.
A flexible and controlled investment strategy
From an economic perspective, the argument is just as strong. The skid is sold by modules, each with a clearly defined price, ranging from €3,000 to €7,000. A complete skid capable of filtering 45 hectoliters per hour therefore costs under €20,000, and a 20 hl/h version under €15,000. This à la carte model allows wineries to control their investments without sacrificing quality or performance. And because all components are standardized, maintenance costs are reduced, as are risks related to raw material price increases. This cost control, combined with reinforced field support, gives the Costral-Pemflow solution a decidedly sustainable and accessible dimension. In Alsace, it is Jérôme Farinha, Costral’s sales representative, who will ensure this proximity. He will support producers in assessing their needs, carrying out cellar trials, and implementing the most suitable modules.
Restoring wine to its rightful place in the value chain
More than just equipment, this new filtration skid is a strategic tool for winemakers. It aligns technical requirements with oenological choices, protects wines while respecting their identity, and allows progress at one’s own pace, without being dependent on an imposed or oversized system. This vision—based on listening, co-construction, and freedom of choice—is one that Costral and Pemflow Technofiltre jointly champion. A vision in which filtration returns to what it should always be: a faithful extension of the work done in the cellar, not a sacrificial step.
Sources and photo credits Vineonews Alsace
