Winery & Brewery Chillers: Why Custom Cooling Solutions Matter

Introduction: Cooling Systems Are the Heart of Quality Brewing & Winemaking

In the Okanagan Valley, wineries and breweries aren't just businesses—they’re cultural landmarks, agricultural innovators, and community cornerstones. But behind every award-winning bottle or pint is a silent partner working hard: a reliable chiller system.

Refrigeration plays a vital role in every stage of production, from fermentation to storage. And while off-the-shelf cooling systems might work for some operations, serious producers know: custom cooling solutions make all the difference.

At Custom Climates Refrigeration, we’ve helped dozens of wineries and breweries across Kelowna and the Okanagan build tailored, high-performance refrigeration systems that protect product integrity, improve consistency, and boost bottom-line efficiency.

Why Precision Temperature Control Is Non-Negotiable

Whether you're fermenting a small-batch saison or aging an ice wine, temperature is everything. Just a few degrees can change flavor development, yeast behavior, carbonation, or spoilage risk.

Custom chiller systems provide:

✅ Fermentation stability across multiple tanks

✅ Targeted temperature zones for different stages of production

✅ Prevention of off-flavors or spoilage due to fluctuations

✅ Energy savings through optimized control systems

In short: when you control the chill, you control the outcome.

Off-the-Shelf Systems vs. Custom Chillers: What's the Difference?

You could buy a generic refrigeration unit and hope it fits your operation. But that typically means:

• Poor temperature consistency across zones

• Incompatibility with your tank sizes or layouts

• Excessive energy use

• Lack of real-time monitoring or alerts

• Shorter system lifespan

A custom-designed brewery or winery chiller is built around your:

• Number and size of fermentation or storage tanks

• Layout of your production floor

• Seasonal demand cycles

• Available electrical and mechanical infrastructure

• Long-term production goals

Our systems are engineered for your exact process, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Glycol Chillers: The Gold Standard for Wineries and Breweries

The backbone of most custom solutions is a glycol chiller. These systems use a food-grade glycol and water mixture to maintain ultra-consistent cooling throughout your facility.

Why glycol?

• Safe for use in food production environments

• Low freezing point prevents line freezing in cold weather

• Excellent heat transfer properties

• Flexible distribution across multiple tanks and zones

At Custom Climates, we install and calibrate glycol chillers that are powerful, scalable, and remote-controllable—so you always know your process is stable, even when you’re off-site.

Real-World Case: Consistency Boost for a Kelowna Winery

In 2024, we worked with a mid-sized Kelowna winery facing fermentation inconsistencies between batches. Their existing system couldn’t maintain consistent temps across tanks at different ends of the production hall.

We installed a custom glycol chiller system with independent zone controls and tank-specific temperature probes.

Results:

• 97% temperature consistency across all fermenters

• 15% energy savings in the first 90 days

• Full remote monitoring capability via mobile app

• Significantly improved batch consistency and staff satisfaction

They now use their system as a talking point during vineyard tours.

Brewery-Specific Needs: From Fermentation to Carbonation

While wineries focus heavily on slow fermentation and storage, breweries face additional challenges:

• Fast batch turnover

• High yeast activity that generates internal heat

• Cooling needs for both fermentation and brite tanks

• Precise carbonation temperature for kegging and canning

We design brewery cooling systems to handle these needs with precision—often including:

• Dual-stage chillers

• Redundant pump systems

• Tank jacket compatibility

• Real-time data logging for quality assurance

The result? Better product. Less downtime. More control.

Environmental and Economic Advantages of Custom Systems

It’s not just about quality—it’s about cost and sustainability.

Custom refrigeration systems reduce your:

• Electricity bills by running more efficiently

• Carbon footprint through smart controls and modern refrigerants

• Maintenance costs with durable components

• Downtime risk with remote alerts and proactive diagnostics

We also help businesses apply for energy-efficiency grants and rebates when eligible, turning upgrades into financial wins.

Control Systems: The Brains Behind the Chill

Advanced control systems are what truly differentiate custom solutions.

With our smart refrigeration controls, wineries and breweries get:

• Tank-by-tank temperature control

• Programmable fermentation schedules

• Alerts for deviations or malfunctions

• Remote access via smartphone or tablet

• Historical data tracking for quality and compliance

Instead of reacting to problems, you're anticipating them—saving time, money, and product in the process.

Designed for the Okanagan, Built to Scale

Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley present unique environmental conditions: hot, dry summers and cold winters. Many off-the-shelf systems aren’t designed for this kind of climate variability.

We build systems that:

• Are insulated and calibrated for seasonal extremes

• Use outdoor-rated components with protective housing

• Include bypass valves and emergency overrides for safety

• Can scale with your business—from boutique to large-scale

We work with your team, architect, or general contractor to ensure seamless integration into your facility or expansion plans.

Maintenance and Support: Keeping Things Running Smoothly

We don’t just install and disappear. Custom Climates offers ongoing preventative maintenance and emergency service, including:

• Glycol flushes and concentration checks

• Heat exchanger cleaning

• Refrigerant level inspections

• Control system software updates

• Emergency repair with 24/7 response

Many of our winery and brewery clients opt into annual service agreements, which ensure peak performance during harvest or peak brewing months.

Final Thoughts: The Custom Advantage

Your wine and beer deserve more than a generic cooling system. A tailored refrigeration setup is a strategic investment in your brand, your efficiency, and your long-term success.

With Custom Climates Refrigeration, you get:

✅ Expert design tailored to your layout and process

✅ Energy-efficient glycol chiller systems

✅ Smart controls for remote monitoring and automation

✅ Ongoing service from a local, Red Seal-certified team

✅ Systems that grow with your production