Concrete Tanks
Concrete tanks are still used to ferment wine in California. Many of these tanks were installed long ago, some in the 19th century.
The use of Concrete Tanks as Fermentation Containers in California
Replacing these fermentation containers would be extremely expensive so many wineries opt to update these tanks. This can be done in several ways.
The insides of concrete tanks are often coated with epoxy based lining. This helps to prevent corrosion on the inside of the tanks. It also helps to waterproof and seal them. Some concrete tanks are lined with glass or fiberglass. Coating the inside of concrete tanks makes them more insulated and efficient at retaining a certain temperature.
Concrete tanks offer several advantages over wooden vats and small oak barrels. They can be fashioned into squares to save space in the winery and are much less expensive to build. They were extremely widespread in Europe until the 1960s.
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