Manual Grape Press with Ratchet - Wooden Basket Ø15–80 cm

This manual grape press is a traditional wooden basket wine press designed for home winemakers, small wineries and producers who prefer a mechanical pressing system. Its lever-operated ratchet drives a central steel screw, applying progressive downward pressure to the grape pomace and helping extract the remaining must.

Handcrafted in Italy, the press combines a seasoned beechwood basket with a reinforced steel collection tray and metal components finished with non-toxic coatings suitable for food contact. With 11 sizes available, from Ø15 to Ø80 cm, the range accommodates everything from small home winemaking batches to larger pressing requirements.

Why choose a manual ratchet wine press?

• Controlled mechanical pressing: the ratchet lever allows pressure to be applied progressively through the vertical screw.
• Traditional beechwood basket: seasoned wooden staves provide a robust pressing cage, with wood selected for its neutral odour and taste.
• Suitable for different production scales: choose from 11 basket diameters and approximate pomace capacities ranging from 5 to 475 kg.
• Manual operation: the mechanical lever and screw system works without electrical power.
• Spare parts available: replacement half-moon plates, pressing blocks, cage keys and ratchet pawls are available for maintenance.
• Made in Italy: traditionally handcrafted construction.

Technical features and construction

• Collection tray: reinforced pressed steel with a non-toxic coating suitable for food contact.
• Pressing mechanism: central steel screw operated by a mechanical ratchet lever.
• Ratchet speeds: single-speed mechanism on sizes Ø15–35 cm; two-speed mechanism on sizes Ø40–80 cm.
• Pressing basket: seasoned beechwood staves.
• Basket closure: keys or bolts, depending on the selected size.
• Included components: 6 pressing blocks, 2 half-moon plates, operating levers and ratchet pawls.
• Available basket diameters: 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70 and 80 cm.

Available grape press sizes and capacities

Select the basket diameter according to the amount of grape pomace you need to process. The table below shows the approximate capacity, overall height and weight of each model.

All weights and capacities are approximate. Pomace capacity refers to the prepared grape solids loaded into the press, not to an hourly processing rate. As this is a handcrafted product, slight variations in dimensions and weight, as well as minor cosmetic marks, may occur.

Choosing between single-speed and two-speed models

The ratchet mechanism varies according to the press size:

• Ø15–35 cm: single-speed ratchet mechanism.
• Ø40–80 cm: two-speed ratchet mechanism for greater flexibility when applying pressure.

For occasional home winemaking, begin by checking the approximate pomace capacity of the smaller models. If you regularly handle larger batches, compare the capacities and overall dimensions of the larger versions before selecting a press.

How to use a manual grape press

1. Prepare the grapes. Crush them and, if required by your winemaking process, remove the stems. Prepare the grape pomace for pressing.
2. Fill the basket. Load the prepared material into the wooden cage.
3. Position the pressing components. Arrange the half-moon plates and pressing blocks, then engage the operating lever in the ratchet mechanism.
4. Apply pressure gradually. Operate the lever to move the pressing assembly down through the central screw. The gradual downward movement compresses the pomace and allows the must to drain into the collection tray.

The press is manually operated, making it a practical option for winemakers who prefer a traditional mechanical pressing system.

Included equipment and replacement parts

The wine press is supplied with the components required for its pressing mechanism:

• 6 pressing blocks;
• 2 half-moon pressing plates;
• Operating levers;
• Ratchet pawls.

Replacement half-moon plates, pressing blocks and forms, cage keys, ratchet pawls and other spare parts are available.

If you need assistance identifying a replacement part or choosing a suitable press size, contact AgriStore at info@agristorecosenza.it.

Manual grape press or hydraulic wine press?

A manual ratchet press uses a lever and central screw to apply pressure mechanically. It is a traditional option for home winemaking and smaller-scale production, although the larger models also offer substantial pomace capacities.

A hydraulic press uses a hydraulic jack to apply pressure with less physical effort, making it worth considering when larger quantities of pomace need to be processed regularly.

If you are comparing pressing systems, explore our hydraulic grape press for an alternative to the traditional lever-operated model.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a grape crusher and a grape press?

A grape crusher breaks the grape berries during the preparation stage. A grape press applies pressure to crushed grapes or pomace to extract the remaining liquid. These are different operations in the winemaking process. If you need equipment for the crushing stage, browse our manual grape crushers.

Does this manual wine press require electricity?

No. The press is operated manually using a lever, mechanical ratchet and central steel screw.

How do I choose the right grape press size?

Compare the approximate pomace capacity with the quantity you expect to press per batch. Also check the overall height and weight of the selected model to ensure it suits your working area.

What is the difference between the smaller and larger models?

Besides basket diameter and capacity, the pressing mechanism differs: sizes Ø15–35 cm have a single-speed ratchet, while sizes Ø40–80 cm have a two-speed ratchet.

Are replacement parts available?

Yes. Half-moon plates, pressing blocks, forms, cage keys, ratchet pawls and other spare parts are available. Contact AgriStore for assistance identifying the components you need.

What should I check when buying a used grape press?

Inspect the condition of the central screw, ratchet mechanism, wooden basket, pressing plates and collection tray. If you choose a new press, check the specified dimensions, supplied components and spare-part availability to ensure the model meets your requirements.

Need help choosing your wine press?

From compact models for home winemaking to larger wooden basket presses, AgriStore offers a range of sizes to match different quantities of grape pomace.

For advice on capacity, dimensions or replacement parts, contact AgriStore before purchasing.