VA Filtration’s DARC-Pro process reduces the free smoke aromatics that cause taint, potentially eliminating smoke taint from wine completely. In use since 2020, DARC-Pro has successfully treated millions of gallons of tainted wine. In a recent USDA trial, DARC-Pro was twice as successful in reducing smoke compounds from wine compared with other current technologies.
Our process uses proprietary membrane and combination adsorption technology. The permeate, generated through the membrane, carries both free and bound smoke compounds and passes through an adsorption column and a secondary phenolic treatment column, where those compounds are drastically reduced or removed. Each pass treats about 40% of the volume as permeate through the column trains. You contract only for the passes each lot needs — fewer for light taint, up to four or more for heavy taint. See the DARC process.
Example of reduction — two passes, heavily tainted 2017 Mendocino Syrah (AWRI)
Guaiacol 21 → 6 µg/L · Syringol 26 → 7 µg/L · 4-Methylguaiacol 3 → <1 µg/L · Cresols 10 → <1 µg/L
Bound glycosides move less. They mark how much smoke is present. A full free-and-bound panel before treatment is a must.
Each wine’s smoke panel is unique, and excessive processing can impact the mid-palate. We recommend a trial to gauge the level of treatment required. Once we see your analysis, we can recommend the number of passes.
Two options for on-site smoke reduction
Mobile service
We bring DARC-Pro to the winery. 300 gallon lots and more. Up to 1,500 gallons per hour per pass.
Rental systems
Run the process on your schedule with a VA Filtration rental system and our process support.
Trials start at 15 gallons — enough to judge whether DARC-Pro is the right fit before you treat the lot. Larger trials give a clearer benchmark.
We recommend processing after malolactic fermentation is complete and the wine is stable. Our most successful protocol is waiting until March of the following year to start treating the wine.
We design and manufacture all of our equipment. Multiple machinery options are available if you would prefer to purchase your own system.
Request a discreet trial
Call (707) 552-2616 or email sales@vafiltration.com