Page 40 - Food&Drink magazine Feb-Mar 2023

THE COLD CHAIN
In the recent refrigeration project upgrade at Jim Barry Wines, plant decisions focussed on the importance of quality riesling production and sustainability.
Making decisions for the right riesling
TEMPERATURE control is a critical parameter in quality wine production and, given the warm climate in South Australia, is especially important for operations in South Australian wineries.
While refrigeration addresses this need, it is generally the largest consumer of electricity in Australian wineries. Typically,
refrigeration accounts for
50-70 per cent of total electricity use, highlighting the critical need for environmental impact to be included in the decision- making process.
Foreseeing a rise in riesling demand, Jim Barry Wines recently looked to upgrade their refrigeration plant, seeking advice from Cold Logic, Australia’s largest provider of refrigeration to the wine sector.
Cold Logic partner Eddie Lane says, “Cold Logic is passionate about helping our clients improve their efficiencies and environmental impact.
“We aspire to minimise impacts on the environment through actively promoting the use of natural refrigerants; those that actually benefit the environment rather than harming it, all while trying to minimise the electrical energy consumed by the refrigeration systems of our customers.
“Ammonia refrigeration is the most efficient refrigerant in industrial applications with a very high COP (coefficient of performance) efficiency factor. Ammonia is a natural refrigerant that is 100 per cent
LEFT & ABOVE: Tom Barry from Jim Barry Wines and Eddie Lane from Cold Logic raising a glass to a great outcome withthewinery’snewammoniaplant.
environmentally friendly with a zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) factor and zero Ozone Depleting Factor. In short, it presented Jim Barry Wines both the most energy efficient system and environmentally friendly option.”
At Cold Logic’s Port Adelaide factory, the ammonia plant was designed and assembled to meet Jim Barry’s future growth, with the ability to service a 4000-tonne crush and
OF A WINERY’S ELECTRICITY BILL IS FOR REFRIGERATION.
whole bunch pressing of 15 tonnes of riesling a day. Jim Barry Wines general
manager Tom Barry says, “Jim Barry is very concerned about climate change, and we feel a responsibility to act immediately.
“We are extremely aware of our responsibilities surrounding sustainability and achieving our end goal of being carbon neutral.
“The new ammonia refrigerationplantwillhelp
guarantee the long-term supply of high-quality riesling, will offer significant environmental benefits and substantial energy savings.
“We estimate that we have achieved around 30 per cent in energy savings in just its first year of operation.
“We hope sharing these compelling results will provide fellow viticulturalist wineries the confidence and encouragement to consider an ammonia-based refrigeration plant,” Barry says.
“Additionally, our employees care about the environment and want to know the company they work for also cares.
“Team members are also acknowledging the positive environmental contribution we are making,” he says.
Lane adds, “For most companies, having a sustainability plan is no longer a differentiator but an expectation from customers and employees.
“We are buoyed to be playing an important role in the transition to a world where net-zero carbon emissions are a reality.”
For Barry, the winery enjoys being one of the most innovative in the world, challenging traditions and adopting innovation the benefit the industryandtheenvironment. ✷
UP TO
70%
40 | Food&Drink business | February/March 2023 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au