The Soil as a Cost Centre – and as a Means of Production in Wine Making

In wine production, it is not only the quality of the grapes that determines the final product. The production environment also plays a key role – especially the soil. It is much more than just a structural basis or design surface. The soil is a cost centre because it directly influences hygiene, cleaning requirements, operational safety and long-term economic efficiency.

Hygiene starts with the floor

Wineries, wine cellars and bottling areas have high hygiene requirements. Liquids, organic residues, sugar, yeast, cleaning agents and disinfectants are part of daily operations. The floor must therefore be cleaned regularly and thoroughly to reliably prevent contamination and microbial growth. It is clear that a floor that is difficult to clean causes higher costs in the long term – due to increased time expenditure, higher use of water, chemicals and personnel, and an increased hygiene risk.

Pore-free instead of problematic

Many supposedly inexpensive solutions – such as simple coatings or classic slotted tiles – have open-pored surfaces or surfaces that become porous over time. Over time, dirt, moisture and microorganisms can become trapped in these pores. This makes cleaning considerably more difficult and can lead to hygiene issues. In addition, such floors age more quickly and need to be repaired or replaced sooner. Argelith porcelain stoneware tiles deliberately set a different standard here. They are unglazed and virtually non-porous, which has been confirmed by tests carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute, among others. The result: significantly reduced adhesion of dirt and bacteria and much easier cleaning.

mv-tec® – surface coating for lasting hygiene

A decisive factor is Argelith’s mv-tec® surface coating. This is not a subsequent coating, but a ceramic finish that fuses inseparably with the ceramic body during the firing process. This provides the surface with lasting protection and makes it wear-resistant.

This technology offers decisive advantages:

– High resistance to surface contamination
– Reduced bacterial adhesion
– Simple, safe and quick cleaning processes

Whether it’s spot cleaning or stubborn residues, Argelith porcelain stoneware floors can be cleaned efficiently and kept in optimal hygienic condition with the right cleaning methods.

Cost-effectiveness throughout the entire life cycle

An industrial floor in wine production must function every day – often under high mechanical, chemical and thermal stress. Argelith porcelain stoneware is highly dense, wear-resistant, resilient and chemically resistant. However, the long-term benefits are crucial: low maintenance costs, reduced cleaning requirements and an exceptional service life. This makes it clear that the floor is a cost centre – but also an effective lever for cost control. Investing in quality reduces ongoing operating costs, minimises risks and creates a reliable basis for hygienically flawless wine production.

Conclusion

In modern wineries, the floor is an active part of the production process. It must be hygienic, robust and economical. Argelith porcelain stoneware meets these requirements not only in the short term, but over decades – and thus differs significantly from short-lived, seemingly inexpensive alternatives. Because a good floor is not just decoration. It works with you.