Invisible Sentinel Develops New Spoilage Detection Tool for Winemakers
August 12, 2016 • Press Release
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Invisible Sentinel, Inc., a global molecular solutions company providing first-in-class microbial detection tools, introduces vinoPAL — a new product for preserving wine quality.
Built on the company’s signature Veriflow® platform, vinoPAL rapidly identifies the presence of spoilage organisms Pediococcus and Lactobacillus. The arrival of vinoPAL is a response to winemakers’ request for a rapid, onsite detection tool for these spoilage organisms that can contribute to sluggish fermentations. Utilizing the same equipment and workflow as the flagship vinoBRETT test for Brettanomyces, this new assay expands winemakers’ ability to respond to issues and manage quality proactively at the winery.
“This year has been about expanding our product portfolio to directly meet the needs of our established client partners,” said Invisible Sentinel CEO Nicholas A. Siciliano, Ph.D. “We’re hearing their concerns and addressing them head-on, with the entire industry in mind.”
As harvest season approaches, winemakers have a heightened awareness of the potential for undesirable bacteria to enter the winery undetected. vinoPAL is a proactive measure for anticipating the financial impact of Pediococcus and Lactobacillus, and is sensitive even at low thresholds in juice and young wines. Proactive management of spoilage organisms saves time and money, and most importantly – preserves the value of wine.
“Identifying the presence of Lactobacillus as soon as possible is a critical concern for me,” said Eric Baugher, vice president of winemaking at Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino, CA. “This organism can multiply rapidly, and before you know it the fermentation can become sluggish, with possibility of high volatile acidity being formed. Early detection with vinoPAL will allow us to intervene quickly and prevent the loss of wine quality.”
Since launching their wine product portfolio in May 2014, Invisible Sentinel continues to work with industry-leading winemakers around the world to identify pain points in the winemaking process. Hundreds of winemakers across twelve countries are now using Veriflow technology to protect their brand and ensure their wine meets the most stringent quality standards.
