Champagne Bernard Bijotat: optimum temperature control thanks to GF’s pre-insulated technology

The Maison de Champagne Bernard Bijotat has adopted the pre-insulated Cool-Fit technology from GF Industry and Infrastructure Flow Solutions to control the cooling system during the Champagne production stages at the new facility in Chézy-sur-Marne.

A historic maison

The historic winery in the Champagne region, founded in the 19th century and now led by the fourth generation of the Bijotat family, produces approximately 150.000 bottles every year. The decision to move production to a new building represented much more than a simple expansion for the Maison: it was an opportunity to rethink the facilities by adopting solutions capable of supporting the company’s growth according to criteria of efficiency, reliability and sustainability.

In Champagne production, in fact, temperature control is fundamental during the fermentation and stabilisation stages of the product. The system must ensure operational continuity, precision and uniformity of heat exchange, maintaining the product at approximately 4 °C without energy losses and without compromising the reliability of the system.

The solution adopted

To meet these requirements, the choice fell on the Cool-Fit pre-insulated thermoplastic solution from GF Industry and Infrastructure Flow Solutions, preferred to traditional metal piping for its ability to combine high energy performance, ease of installation and long service life.

The project resulted in the most extensive Cool-Fit installation ever carried out in a Champagne vineyard: over 1.600 m of piping and fittings were installed in an extremely short time, thanks to a fully pre-insulated system that eliminates on-site insulation work and simplifies every stage of installation.

Long-term benefits

However, it is above all over the long term that the benefits of the solution become apparent. The absence of corrosion, the tightness of the joints and the complete elimination of maintenance activities make it possible to preserve the efficiency of the system over time. At the same time, the consistent maintenance of energy performance makes it possible to reduce heat losses and ensure precise control of the production process, with benefits both for the quality of the Champagne and for energy consumption.

Safety was also a decisive factor. The system is installed without the use of open flames and without generating odours, reducing risks during installation and enabling faster commissioning than traditional solutions. The project is completed by the system’s perfect aesthetic integration with the new production building, constructed entirely from stainless steel.

The project by Maison de Champagne Bernard Bijotat demonstrates how plant engineering innovation can today become a decisive factor in the competitiveness of food companies. Whereas in the past fluid transport was considered an “invisible” infrastructure, today it represents a tangible means of improving energy efficiency, process reliability and production sustainability.

It is no coincidence that GF has chosen this very project as an example of its ability to support the food industry in the transition towards increasingly high-performance facilities. The company will in fact be a leading participant at Cibus Tec 2026, the major international food and beverage technology trade fair taking place in Parma from 27 to 30 October, where it will present its solutions for the food & beverage sector and numerous international application examples.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.