Medieval Wine Press

Timeline

1. -200–501Gaul and Italy of the Roman Empire · Roman EmpireThe Roman world used lever crossbeam presses and foot-treading devices to extract grape juice; the technique spread northward with viticulture and was inherited by medieval monastic winemaking.
2. c. 1175–1301Cistercian monastery wineries · BurgundyMonastic orders such as the Cistercians systematized viticulture and winemaking, using large lever presses alongside Archimedes screw presses capable of staged pressing for different juice qualities, supporting wine quality grading and trade.
3. 1501–1801Rhineland and Champagne regions · RhinelandWooden lever presses gradually gave way to more precise screw mechanisms and modern mechanical presses; medieval pressing technology laid the foundation for modern winemaking equipment, and some traditional wooden presses are still used in fine wine production.