Fruit wine has evolved from a hobbyist craft into a thriving commercial beverage category—boosted by demand for local fruit, farm-to-bottle boutique wineries, and innovation in flavored alcoholic drinks. As more small breweries and wineries diversify into fruit wine, one big question arises:
How much does commercial fruit wine equipment cost?
This guide breaks down the price ranges for core fruit wine machines, explains what affects cost, and helps you plan a smart investment whether you are building a micro-winery or scaling up to industrial production.vist:Micet Craft Brewing Equipment Manufacturers
Why Understanding Fruit Wine Equipment Costs Matters
Fruit wine production is more complex than grape wine in many cases because fruit contains:
- Higher pectin
- Variable acid and sugar levels
- More pulp and solids
- Highly volatile aroma compounds
- Higher microbial risk
The right equipment ensures:
✅ consistent fermentation
✅ maximum yield from fruit
✅ clean and safe processing
✅ high-quality aroma and flavor retention
✅ scalability as demand grows
Your equipment selection shapes your product quality and your long-term production costs.
Key Equipment Needed for Commercial Fruit Wine Production
🔧 Processing Line Overview
A typical fruit wine production system includes:
Stage Equipment Fruit reception & prep Sorting table, crusher, pulper Juice extraction Hydraulic press or bladder press Must treatment Tanks, pectin enzyme dosing, cooling Fermentation Jacketed fermenters, glycol chiller Clarification Filtration system, settling tanks Stabilization Cold stabilization system Packaging Bottling line, labeler, corker/capper Sanitation CIP system, pumps, hoses
Let’s break down pricing by category.
🍇 Fruit Crushing & Pressing Equipment Price
Equipment Capacity Price Range Manual crusher / grinder Small batches $200 – $1,500 Commercial fruit crusher / mill 500–2,000 kg/hr $2,000 – $8,000 Basket press (manual) 20–200L $500 – $2,500 Hydraulic fruit press 200–1,000L $4,000 – $12,000 Pneumatic bladder press (winery grade) 300–2,000L $6,000 – $35,000+
Recommendation: For real commercial workflow, a bladder press is the best balance of efficiency and fruit-aroma protection.
🧪 Fermentation Tanks & Accessories Price Guide
Equipment Capacity Price Range Stainless steel fermentation tank 500–2,000L $2,500 – $10,000 each Floating-lid variable volume tank 500–2,000L $1,800 – $8,000 Cooling jacket upgrade For stainless tanks +$800 – $3,500 per tank Pressure relief valves, racking arms — Included or +$200–$800 Temperature controller & probes — $500 – $2,000
Key Cost Driver: Stainless steel + cooling jacket + sanitary fittings significantly increase price—but they are essential for fruit wine quality & microbial control.
❄️ Cooling & Temperature Control System Pricing
Equipment Scale Price Range Glycol chiller 1–5 tons $2,500 – $15,000 Glycol reservoir & pumps — $800 – $4,000 Insulated glycol piping — $500 – $6,000 Automated solenoid valves Per tank $150 – $700 per tank
Fruit wine requires cooling for:
- Fermentation temperature control
- Cold stabilization
- Aroma preservation
Budget tip: Don’t under-size your chiller—heat load spikes during harvest season.
⚗️ Clarification & Filtration Systems Pricing
Equipment Price Range Plate & frame filter $2,000 – $12,000 Lenticular filter system $4,000 – $18,000 Crossflow filtration system $25,000 – $200,000+
Best starting option: Plate & frame pad filter for smaller wineries.
Upgrade to crossflow when production exceeds ~20,000L per month.
🧊 Cold Stabilization & Storage Tanks
Equipment Price Range Cold-stable brite tanks (jacketed) $3,500 – $20,000 Insulated maturation tanks $2,000 – $18,000 Glycol control integration $500 – $3,000
Fruit wines often need more cold stabilization time than grape wines due to fruit acidity variance.
🧼 CIP & Sanitation Systems Pricing
Equipment Price Range CIP cleaning cart $2,000 – $12,000 Sanitary pump $800 – $6,000 Food-grade hoses & tri-clamps $300 – $2,500 per line
CIP saves hundreds of labor hours per year and prevents contamination incidents.
🍾 Bottling & Packaging Equipment Pricing
Equipment Price Range Manual filler & corker $500 – $5,000 Semi-auto bottling line $8,000 – $35,000 Automatic bottling/labeling system $40,000 – $200,000+
Tip: Start with semi-automatic; upgrade as orders increase.
📊 Total Investment Estimates
Winery Scale Volume Range Estimated Equipment Budget Starter fruit wine facility 5,000–20,000 L/year $30,000 – $80,000 Growing commercial winery 20,000–100,000 L/year $80,000 – $300,000 Industrial fruit winery 100,000+ L/year $300,000 – $1M+
Note: These ranges vary based on automation, stainless steel grade, and cooling capacity.
💡 Cost Factors to Consider
Factor Impact Stainless steel grade (304 vs 316) +$30–$60% cost for 316 Cooling jacket & insulation +$1,000 – $4,000 per tank Automation level +10% – 40% total cost Custom sizing +5% – 25% Imported vs domestic Shipping & tariffs
🍷 Strategies to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality
- Buy modular stainless tanks and expand later
- Standardize tri-clamp fittings & hose sizes
- Start with pad filtration before crossflow
- Use semi-automatic filler before fully automatic
- Choose multi-purpose tanks (fermentation + storage)
- Build a phased chiller system
Avoid:
❌ used plastic tanks
❌ non-jacketed fermenters for fruit wine
❌ DIY sanitation systems
FAQs
Q1: Can I start commercial fruit wine production without a chiller?
Technically yes, but not recommended. Fruit wine aromatics are heat-sensitive and require precision cooling. Without a chiller, you risk oxidation, volatile acidity, stuck fermentation, and inconsistent batches.
Q2: Is a press always required for fruit wine?
For most fruit types, yes. A bladder press provides the best yield and gentle handling. Juicing equipment meant for juice bars or cider may not achieve the clarity and finesse required for premium wines.
Q3: Do I need stainless steel tanks or can I use plastic/brute tanks?
Plastic tanks work only for pilot batches. Commercial fruit wine requires:
- stainless steel for sanitation
- oxygen protection
- glycol cooling
- long-term durability
If you’re selling product, stainless is a must.
✅ Recommended Micet Fruit Wine Equipment Solutions
Micet is a global manufacturer specializing in winery and brewery stainless steel systems, offering turnkey solutions tailored for fruit wine producers.
Why Choose Micet?
- Premium 304/316 stainless steel
- Jacketed fermentation tanks
- Custom bladder press systems
- High-efficiency glycol chilling units
- CIP cleaning systems
- Modular designs for future expansion
- Engineering support for layout & installation
- Reliable after-sales support
Whether you’re launching a boutique orchard winery or scaling a large fruit processing facility, Micet provides professional equipment designed for aroma preservation, clean fermentation, and high product yield.
📩 Interested in a custom quote?
Tell me your planned annual production volume and batch size—I’ll help you map a budget and recommend the right Micet system configuration.