Choosing the right closure for wine bottles is a crucial decision for winemakers, as it directly impacts the quality, aging potential, and environmental footprint of the wine. In recent years, alternative closure materials, such as aluminum and plastic, have emerged alongside traditional cork stoppers. In this article, we will compare cork, aluminum, and plastic as materials for wine closures, examining their sealing ability, production resource use, environmental impact, and other relevant aspects. By understanding the characteristics of each material, we can make informed decisions that balance tradition, innovation, and sustainability in the wine industry. Sealing Ability Cork Cork production is a sustainable process that relies on the careful harvesting of cork oak bark, a process that supports the health and longevity of cork oak forests, which act as valuable ecosystems.  Harvesting cork does not require cutting down trees, as the bark regenerates naturally. Furthermore, co

RFMCO represents Hexonic heat exchangers in CA and Northern NV, including shell & tube, brazed plate and frame heat exchangers for commercial applications Hexonic is a family-owned company in Poland founded in 1988, manufacturing heat exchangers and pressure vessels. As of 2024, Hexonic assembles all its heat exchangers in South Carolina, allowing for shorter lead times to California and Nevada. And all heat exchangers are assembled in accordance with ASME codes. Download Product Catalog Model HAD Shell & Coil Heat Exchangers  Easy installation Saving space Low operating costs High efficiency Made according to PED and ASME codes Applications   HVAC systems Steam applications Heating and cooling systems Heat exchange in industrial processes Oil coolers Working Parameters   Max. temperature: 482 ° F Min. temperature: -4°F Max. pressure: 363 PSI Model H Shell & Coil Heat Exchangers  Saving space - compact size and vertical installation redu

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Timothy Parker of Parker Groundwater Consulting in Sacramento, CA.  Loni Lyttle: So, I wanted to talk to you today about groundwater recharge. California, along with the rest of the western United States has been in a long drought and is facing serious issues with groundwater depletion not to mention subsidence, where the land is actually sinking due to overdrafting the aquifer. But then we get these two wet years in 2023 and 2024 (so far) with above average rainfall. I think this lulls people into a sense of security about California’s water situation and I’m not sure it’s that simple. I’m not a hydrogeologist so I wanted to get in touch with someone who knows more on the subject.  Tim Parker: You are right – the surface water reservoir drought is over but our groundwater reservoirs are still in drought conditions. So there’s a lot of recharge going on and we don’t always know how

Afternoon Brief, November 30th

California Wines Pour Jobs and Dollars into Economy: The California wine and winegrape sector and allied businesses deliver a total economic contribution of $73 billion annually to the state’s economy and $170.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to a new report commissioned by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG)...

Afternoon Brief, July 29th

Grape Harvest Kicks Off with Early Pick in Sonoma County: Under a light marine layer, the wine grape harvest kicked off in Sonoma County early Friday morning in the Russian River Valley with a season that has started earlier than expected and should yield a smaller crop...

Starborough Wine Deploys Two Limestone Reefs in Gulf of Mexico During National Oceans Month

Starborough engages Reefmaker and consumers in ocean conservation efforts  June 27th – On Tuesday, June 21st, E & J Gallo Winery Starborough Sauvignon Blanc deployed two limestone coral reefs off […]

At the most basic level, engine and generator life-cycle maintenance is a process that involves inspecting, maintaining, and replacing various components before they are at risk of failure. However, there’s more to it than that. In this blog post, we’ll cover how to keep your equipment running smoothly—and why it’s worth your time. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning on getting a Volvo Penta engine or generator serviced. Volvo Penta Engine Use and Product Line Volvo Penta offers off-road solutions and engines that are perfect for several industries. They are built on a common platform that is adaptable, scalable, and has power output options. Their low weight, fuel consumption rates, power outputs, and optional equipment packages make them ideal for machines in numerous industries, including agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining, to name a few.  Volvo Penta is a name you can trust for durable and reliable industrial eng

Last week was an exciting week for producers and consumers of California Central Coast wine. On Wednesday, March 9, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (the “TTB”) published a final rule establishing a new “San Luis Obispo Coast,” or “SLO Coast,” American Viticultural Area (“AVA”). The SLO Coast AVA (identified in orange below) spans approximately 408,505 acres in San Luis Obispo County and is home to over 50 wineries and an estimated 78 commercial vineyards covering approximately 3,942 acres. It lies entirely within the multi-county Central Coast AVA and fully encompasses the established Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley AVAs. Map of “San Luis Obispo Coast” or “SLO Coast” AVA. Image: TTB. Located along the westernmost portion of the Central Coast AVA, the SLO Coast AVA is a region of coastal terraces, foothills, and small valleys along the Pacific Coast. Its westward orientation provides more marine fo

Marine Layer Wines Opens Tasting Room on the Healdsburg Plaza 

Tasting Room Showcases Contemporary Coastal California Design by Sonoma Design Duo, HommeBoys, Food Offerings from SingleThread Farms, Co-Creators of Little Saint, Opening Later this Year Healdsburg, CA (November 2, 2021) Marine Layer Wines is a boutique winery that aims to bring the terroir and soul of the Sonoma Coast to life.  With its stellar small-production lineup of single-vineyard Pinot […]