“No other company can manufacture a tank like this; the design allows for huge efficiency gains for our customers” says Jim Belli Westec Tank & Equipment Co.’s General Manager.

Westec’s custom built welding machine handles six foot wide sections of dimple jackets, which means that they can fully cover a six foot tall tank in a single piece, while their competitors can only offer four foot dimple sections.

“The one-piece design for six foot and shorter tanks not only looks great, it has several advantages,” says Belli, “the larger area above the door and fitting window allows for improved glycol flow and temperature control efficiency, and it cleans up much easier without any horizontal welding seams.”

Normally tanks taller than 4 feet present wineries with the dilemma of covering the top or the bottom of the tank, or investing in multiple dimple jackets, which means additional glycol inlets and outlets, and increased plumbing and maintenance costs.

“The advantages scale for big tanks too,” Belli explains, “if you have a 20 foot tall tank, we can cover it completely in four 5 foot wrappers opposed to the five 4 foot wrappers of other companies. It allows us to do a lot more with our configuration than anyone else can. Imagine the cost savings on plumbing alone connecting two less connections per tank with our configurations.”

Well known for its innovation in tank farm layout and design that optimize space and efficiency, Westec works with winemakers, architects and engineers, specializing in layout coordination, tank and equipment placement, as well as catwalk design.

“We’ve been at maximum capacity, and then some, since 2009,” says Belli. “We have a lot of talent here, and we use it to stay one step ahead of everyone else in the industry.”

Westec recently delivered a set of 59” closed top tanks with the new one-piece dimple jackets to Kelly Fleming Wines.

“Westec has custom-designed and built all of our tanks, catwalks and transfer lines for our specific needs. We value their craftsmanship, creativity, and expertise and highly recommend them as makers of premium wine tanks.” says Rebecca George, Winemaker at Kelly Fleming Wines

To learn more about the Westec’s dimple tank technology, visit them at the North Coast Wine Industry Expo or contact Jim Belli directly.

Email: Jim Belli, General Manager
Phone: 707-431-9342
Web: www.westectank.com
1402 Grove St. Healdsburg, CA, 95448

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Our brand new Westec Locking Spin Handle helps prevent inadvertent opening of the door when the tank is full, unwanted entry of tank, and theft of parts and pieces. For Westec tanks and retrofitting existing tanks.

Please contact us today for more information, a tour of our facility, and an estimate for your next job.

(707) 431-9342

Westec Tank, an innovative leader in the stainless steel tank design industry for more than 30 years, has launched a new, dimple line tank construction that sets it apart from competitors and dramatically improves efficiency for customers.

The design uses one large sheet of dimple metal construction per tank, eliminating the need for the additional seams, outlets or fittings required when two or more sheets are welded together. The result is a more seamless composition and an overall improvement in the transfers of glycol, heat and water throughout the surface areas of the tank.

“It’s more efficient all the way around,” asserts Westec General Manager Jim Belli, who also notes that Westec Tank now has the largest dimple line in the Western United States.

The Healdsburg-based Westec Tank & Equipment is known for industry excellence with integrated tank and catwalk design, tank farm design assistance, winery equipment construction and micro oxygenation technology.

The company prides itself on having certified wine tank manufacturers on staff and assembling a team of the finest stainless steel workers in the country.

“The mindset of our workers is stainless steel excellence,” Belli says. “They’re taking metal and putting it together to someone else’s specifications, like artists. Every day, with every weld, the culture here is to produce the finest products possible.”

In addition to tank and equipment manufacturing, Westec Tank excels in onsite work and consultation, such as catwalk retrofitting, vineyard equipment repair and installing doors, screens and support fittings on existing systems, including concrete tanks.

“We like the challenge of creating and experimenting with new and different things, not just steel tanks,” Belli says. “We want to support the entire industry. If it’s within our means, we’ll take a look at it.”

Belli emphasizes that Westec goes above and beyond when it comes to safety procedures, such as their confined space entry program, to protect both employees and winery customer liability.  He reiterates that it is the people at Westec Tank that make it such an outstanding organization.

“We’re not just welders, we’re professionals,” Belli asserts. “That’s why we’re full to the brim as far as work, clear into next year. People are willing to wait for us. It’s who we are. We work hard at it; we earn it every day.”

Contact Information

Winetech LLC
Phone: (707) 431-9342
www.westectank.com
joe@westectank.com

Learn what to look for and identify potential risks on your existing tanks. Repair, replace and expand your winery with the help of the professionals at Westec. Come see us in WIN Expo booth 401 for more details about our new Maintenance and Service program. 

Need tanks and catwalks? We're ready to build whatever you need. Sump carts in stock. Spin handles, eyebolts, gaskets and everything else you would need to get your tanks modernized. We are ready to schedule your 12 point tank inspection and guide your team to a safer, cleaner cellar.

Register for a free trade show floor pass with our promo code: WES410

About Westec

From start to finish engineering of tanks, catwalks, pads, embeds, layout and installation, wineries have relied on Westec for more than thirty years to do it all. Westec's experience brings you the latest design ideas and labor-saving techniques. Our knowledge of city and county building codes will assist you in designing your facility work space. Westec holds (B) general, C60 (welding), and C38 (refrigeration) contractors' licenses.  

The Basket Wine Tank is a unique patented design by Westec Tanks.

How Clay Mauritson Uses the Basket Tank

"We have been working with the 2 ton basket tanks for over three vintages and they have become an integral part of our high end, small lot winemaking program.

"The basket tanks are completely covered with a glycol jacket for easy and quick chilling and heating. They can be easily moved around in the cellar for optimal location placement.

"We have greatly enjoyed the versatility with which they can be filled: either by direct fill 100% gravity or pumped into over the top. Easy access to the juice because of the interior basket allows for a variety of cap management techniques to be used: manual punchdowns and/or use of any pump type: air pump, Waukesha, centrifugal.

"The interior basket also eliminates any confined space dangers because the forklift directly lifts up the skins held within the basket and then the basket is immediately dumped into the press. We have noticed that you can even eliminate the draining component before pressing by pulling up the basket with the skins and let it drain via gravity back into the tank.

"We have successfully completed native fermentations in these tanks and find the extraction to be on the lighter side allowing us to often include 100% of the press fraction back into the freerun lot thus increasing our yields per ton. The 2 ton size has proven to be extremely useful for awkward sized vineyard blocks when you don’t want to throw it into a T bin where temperature can not be controlled. These tanks are awesome. 😊"

Clay Mauritson
Mauriston Wines

These steel wine fermentation tanks are available in two sizes and are fully-dimple jacketed covered.

1380 Gallon Tank (4 available)

• Dimensions: 5'3" x 8'0"
• Price: $20,500

1990 Gallon Tank (3 available)

• Dimension: 6'4" x 8'0"
• Price: $22,000

 The tanks are located at Westec's shop in Healdsburg, contact Jim Belli for more information.

Westec Tank & Equipment Co. brings years of experience working with owners and vintners to their custom fabrication of tanks, catwalks, and equipment. Each tank is custom-built to your specifications. We can provide valuable input while planning tank sizes, tank farm layouts or tank and catwalk configurations. Westec custom designs and builds catwalks and stairways integrated with new or existing tanks. Our design and layout guidance will help you get the best value for your tanks and integrated catwalks.

From start to finish engineering of tanks, catwalks, tank farm layouts and installation, wineries have relied on Westec for more than thirty years to do it all. Westec‘s experience brings you the latest design ideas and labor-saving techniques. Westec builds custom stainless wine tanks to your specifications in all sizes.

Come talk to us about your tank catwalk needs at the North Coast Wine Industry Expo at booth 401 on December 1, 2022. Register for a free trade show floor pass with our promo code: WES401

Cal Poly's new winery provides students with hands-on experience using industry-grade winemaking equipment, and Westec is proud to have supplied the winery fermentation tanks and financially supporting the education of the next generation of winemakers.

Sometimes our clients need something special that fits their needs exactly, so we build it for them.

Square Rainwater Tank

This square tank is now mounted on a trailer in Southern California where it is used for rainwater collection and distribution. This one-of-a-kind tank is square with drains and ports at the bottom and an exterior ladder.

Cyclonic Separator

One of our partners for oaking systems carefully chars oak to light, medium or dark toasts. The wood smoke must be scrubbed before release into the atmosphere. The Cyclonic Separator pulls in the smoke, whirling it at high speed as it sprays water to wet the tiny burned wood particles which become heavy enough to precipitate out. The liquid is drained and filtered for safe disposal.

Do you need something custom build? Let us know.

Dimple jackets to 6' wide, easy to forklift

Westec Tank & Equipment has re-designed the portable tank for even greater usability and flexibility. Dimple jackets in five-foot or six-foot widths provide even temperatures for small batch fermentation. Portable tanks with wide dimple jackets are more sanitary because the water sheets off cleanly during washing. There is no interior horizontal seam to catch debris. The sloped floor makes it easy to drain. For something larger, see our full size wine tanks.

• Forklift ready from any direction
• Easy to Move: Pallet Jack Friendly
• Stackable

Portable tanks are deal for experimentation in wine making. Closed top, stackable portable tanks are extensively used for small batch pump-over fermentation for cabernet and Bordeaux-style reds. Stackable portable tanks are easily moved around the facility using a pallet jack or forklift.

While most portable tanks are closed top, Westec offers a unique combination tank with a removable top. It can be used as an open top small batch tank for punch-down of the red wine must for fermentation of pinot and zinfandel. The removable top greatly expands the usefulness of the tank. After fermentation, the tank can be used for storage, blending and bottling. This removable top configuration allows the tank to be useful all year.

While the removable top increases the usability of the tank all through the year, this style is not stackable.

Westec can make six-foot portable tanks with a single-piece sidewall. The dimples can cover nearly the entire surface for stable temperature control.

Westec portable tank brochure

Fermentation, blending and storage tanks brochure

Westec Builds 4 channel, 5 channel, 8 channel Ox Boxes

Controlling the oxygen applied to the wine reduces dependence on barrels for flavor and aging. The use of an OxBox combined with toasted oak allows winemakers to easily integrate this successful method for enhancing wine during fermentation and aging in the controlled environment of a tank.

Westec Tank & Equipment offers standard 4 channel, 5 channel and 8 channel units and can custom design units for your needs. We can install them with optional stainless steel mounting brackets at the top of the wine tank, or integrate them with your catwalk.

The Westec ox boxes and oak integration systems can be customized for your tanks. They are designed to work with StaVin systems oak integration systems to enhance wine fermentation and aging in our stainless wine tanks.

With Westec, vintners can manage oxygen and oak in a single tank, economically, for a consistent product. Manpower costs are slashed and evaporation loss is negligible. Our low-cost mechanical ox-box is user-friendly and reliable. It is easy to set up, simple to use, and is either on or off — no guessing. It is free of the expense and complexity of pressure-based or computer-based systems. The included flowmeter can have up to five lines with easy monitoring of the oxygen in parts per million.

Westec Ox-box Manual

Over 30 years of quality craftsmanship custom designed - Interior or Exterior

Westec custom designs and builds catwalks and stairways integrated with new or existing tanks. Our design and layout guidance will help you get the best value for your tanks and integrated catwalks.

• Standard 24', 30', and 36' catwalk and stairway systems
• New construction or upgrade of existing facilities
• Public access stairways, walkways, platforms and guardrails
• Improved productivity and labor-saving configurations

As the wine industry evolves, so do regulations and code requirements. The safety of the workers measuring the volume of the wine and doing adds at the top of the tank, and the safety of the product during earthquakes are crucial factors in winery design. As part of the planning process, Westec drawings are reviewed by engineers and shop drawings are stamped to verify weight load support and code compliance. We make sure they comply with city, county and OSHA requirements as well as meeting the goals of the owners and architects.

About 85-90% of the aluminum catwalk fabrication is done in our Healdsburg shop, then the catwalk is assembled on site. Good engineering does not end with excellent design and fabrication. Joe Belli, Jim Belli and Mark McDowell go the extra distance to make sure that the logistics of installation are expertly planned. Mark says:

When doing a project of this size, it's everything leading up the the catwalk installation that's important. We work closely with the owners to develop a coordinated workflow and installation plan that includes electrical, plumbing and refrigeration contractors. We don't leave it to someone else to put together a common, mutual design. Westec understands that what we do affects others and the outcome of the project itself -- that's what makes us stand out.

Joe Belli, Jim Belli and Mark McDowell know that success of your business depends on us doing our job right and on time -- every time. At Westec, our reputation for honest, reliable, friendly service was built by meeting and exceeding expectations year after year.

Tanks, Aluminum Stairway and Catwalks Face a Tasting Courtyard at Whitehall Lane 

For more than thirty years, Westec has been building stainless wine tanks on-site in sizes that are too large or too heavy to be trucked, typically 60,000 to 250,000 gallons, and we can build smaller tanks on-site when needed. We will calculate the weight of the tank based on the gallonage you are considering, and will help develop the scope of work for permits.

The tank above is nearly 160,000 gallons and 30' x' 30' dimensionally with double-wall insulation. Westec built it with an A-frame structure, then placed it using a crane to lift it a short distance over existing tanks.

Safety is Number One

Experienced winemakers include liability planning with very large, site-built tank farms and they value Westec's engineering experience, properly trained crews, first-rate equipment and safety programs for field fabrications.

Working with the winemaker, Westec calculates the A-frame rating required based on the gallonage. The beams are sized for the specific planned load. Our engineered A-frames are "wet-stamped" and Westec provides this information as part of the permit process and for liability coverage. Safety is Number One with Westec.

We Can Build That Size

Give us a call with your gallonage and site requirements and find out more about our fast field fabrication. Westec's trained, experienced crews set up an A-frame and a construction trailer on a flat building site at your winery. The tank top is created first, then then next section is placed below it so that the new tank is open at the bottom until the final stage so it is not considered a confined space.

On-Site Tank Repairs

Westec repairs tanks by any manufacturer, in the field or in the winery. Give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

Field Build Tank Brochure

Portable Stackable Tanks

Ideal for keeping small batches of wine separate for fermentation or transportation, Westec's round portable tanks are available in 350, 450 and 550 gallon sizes, all with the same diameter and foot print so they stack in a corner when empty to free up floor space in your winery. Because our tanks are round, our cooling jacket encircles the tank for concentric cooling all the way to the core. Our sloping-floor round tanks are easier to drain completely and feature our tight seal manways.  Wine Tanks →

Westec Tank & Equipment Co. recently completed the installation of two 3,500 gallon fermentation tanks at Zialena Winery in Geyserville. The tanks pictured below are 12 foot tall covered in two 6 foot sections of dimple jackets allowing for only a single seem in the middle resulting in minimal plumbing and maximum cooling. Westec's custom built welding machine is the only one in the industry capable of manufacturing these large dimple jackets.

The second unique featured of these tanks is the removable top, which makes the tanks versatile for both open or closed top use. The tops are fitted and easy to mount or remove when needed.

Closed top on left, tops removed on right