Fermentis SafŒno™ HD S135

SafŒno™ HD S135 Wine Yeast

Create rich, fruit-driven red wines with excellent colour, structure, and smooth mouthfeel using SafŒno™ HD S135. Developed through Lesaffre's advanced hybridisation programme, this specialist wine yeast combines strong colour extraction capabilities with reliable fermentation performance, making it ideal for premium red wines intended for early to medium-term enjoyment.
SafŒno™ HD S135 has been specifically selected to maximise polyphenol extraction while maintaining balance and softness, helping winemakers produce deeply coloured red wines with ripe fruit character, refined tannins, and excellent drinkability.
Particularly suited to varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, and Grenache, this strain helps reveal expressive red and black fruit aromas while delivering a smooth and rounded finish.

Quick Overview

• Premium yeast for red wine production
• Enhances colour extraction and stability
• Promotes ripe red and black fruit aromas
• Produces smooth, rounded tannins
• Fast and reliable fermentation
• Alcohol tolerance up to 15% ABV
• Low nitrogen requirements
• Suitable for home and commercial winemaking

Product Profile
Product Type: Active Dry Wine Yeast
Strain: SafŒno™ HD S135
Suitable For: Red Wines
Alcohol Tolerance: Up to 15% ABV
Fermentation Temperature: 14–30°C
Fermentation Speed: Fast
Nitrogen Requirements: Low
Colour Extraction: High
Tannin Extraction: Enhanced
Malic Acid Consumption: Medium
SO₂ Production: Low

What Makes HD S135 Different?
Many red wine yeast strains focus primarily on fermentation performance.
SafŒno™ HD S135 has been specifically developed to improve both fermentation and wine structure.
Its unique characteristics help:

• Increase colour extraction
• Improve colour stability
• Enhance tannin quality
• Promote smooth mouthfeel
• Develop ripe fruit character
• Create balanced wine structure

This makes it particularly useful for winemakers looking to create premium red wines with depth and complexity.

Ideal Grape Varieties
SafŒno™ HD S135 performs exceptionally well with:

• Merlot
• Syrah
• Tempranillo
• Sangiovese
• Grenache
• Other fruit-forward red varieties

Flavour & Aroma Contribution
This strain promotes expressive fruit character including:

• Ripe blackberry
• Black cherry
• Plum
• Dark berry fruits
• Red fruit notes

Supported by:

• Smooth tannins
• Rounded mouthfeel
• Balanced structure
• Good colour intensity
• Long finish

Home Winemaking Dosage
Recommended Dosage
Use:

• 0.2g per litre
• 2g per 10 litres
• 4g per 20 litres
• 4.6g per 23 litres
• 5g per 25 litres

For most home winemaking batches between 20–25 litres, approximately 5g of yeast is recommended.

Fermentation Performance
SafŒno™ HD S135 offers:

• Short lag phase
• Fast fermentation kinetics
• Reliable implantation
• Strong performance under challenging conditions
• Excellent colour extraction
• Good fermentation security

The strain performs particularly well in concentrated red musts where colour and tannin extraction are important.

How To Use
Direct Pitch Method
SafŒno™ HD S135 can be added directly to the must.

• Sprinkle the required yeast evenly over the must
• Mix thoroughly to distribute throughout the batch
• Ferment within the recommended temperature range

Rehydration Method

For traditional yeast preparation:

• Rehydrate yeast in 10 times its weight of water
• Use clean water between 15–37°C
• Leave for approximately 20 minutes
• Stir gently
• Add to must and mix thoroughly

Fermentation Guidance
For best results:

• Ferment between 14–30°C
• Ensure adequate oxygenation at the start of fermentation
• Maintain healthy nutrient levels
• Use appropriate punch-down or pump-over schedules
• Monitor fermentation temperature carefully

The strain's strong extraction characteristics make it particularly suitable for structured red wines.

Perfect For Winemakers Who

• Produce premium red wines
• Want improved colour intensity
• Seek smoother tannin structure
• Prefer fruit-driven wine styles
• Work with Merlot, Syrah, or Tempranillo
• Want reliable fermentation performance

Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wines is HD S135 best suited for?
It is specifically designed for fruit-forward red wines with strong colour, smooth tannins, and balanced structure.

Does this yeast improve colour extraction?
Yes. One of the key characteristics of HD S135 is its ability to enhance polyphenol extraction and colour stability.

What flavours does it promote?
The strain helps develop ripe red and black fruit aromas including blackberry, plum, black cherry, and dark berry notes.

Can I use this for home winemaking?
Yes. The yeast performs exceptionally well in both commercial wineries and standard home winemaking batches.

Does it require rehydration?
No. Like other E2U™ yeast strains, it can be pitched directly into the must, although rehydration remains an option.

What alcohol level can it reach?
The strain can ferment wines up to approximately 15% ABV under suitable conditions.

Why Choose SafŒno™ HD S135?
SafŒno™ HD S135 is an excellent choice for winemakers looking to create expressive, deeply coloured red wines with ripe fruit character and refined structure.
Its combination of strong colour extraction, smooth tannin development, and reliable fermentation performance makes it particularly valuable for modern fruit-driven red wine styles.