PETALUMA, Calif. (August 26th, 2026) – Scott Laboratories announces the launch of FERMAID PERFORMENS M™, the newest nutrient in the FERMAID® family that wineries have relied on for more than four decades. Developed by Lallemand Oenology, PERFORMENS M™ is a first-of-its-kind yeast nutrient designed for challenging white, red, and rosé fermentations: high sugar musts, highly clarified juice, warm vintages, low oxygen fermentations, and other high-stress conditions for yeast. By delivering targeted nutritional support at critical stages of fermentation, it helps maintain yeast vitality and promotes consistent fermentation kinetics under challenging winemaking conditions.
PERFORMENS M™ is the latest innovation from Lallemand Oenology, whose research has produced some of the most widely adopted fermentation nutrition products in the industry, including FERMAID K™ (1985), GOFERM® (2002), and FERMAID O™ (2007). Like these other innovations, PERFORMENS M™ reflects a shift in how to address yeast nutrition.
For years, fermentation nutrition focused on only one piece of the picture: how much nitrogen (YAN) does the yeast need? But even well-supplemented fermentations can turn sluggish, stick, or finish with off-flavors and aromas. Lallemand Oenology ’s research increasingly points to specific lipids, vitamins, and minerals as essential factors for yeast nutrition.
As a result of this research, PERFORMENS M™ has a unique nutritional composition achieved by combining two complementary yeast autolysates. The first is derived from Metschnikowia pulcherrima, which is naturally rich in lipid droplets, polyunsaturated fatty acids, B-vitamins, and other micronutrients. It is paired with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae autolysate that contributes nitrogen, vitamins, and minerals. Together, they provide a broader and more complete nutritional profile than YAN correction alone, a new capability for the FERMAID® line and for fermentation nutrition as a whole.
Central to the product is the role lipids play in fermentation. Yeast relies on sterols and unsaturated fatty acids to build and maintain cell membranes, preserve viability, and tolerate rising alcohol concentrations. During the early stages of fermentation, yeast accumulates lipid droplets that serve as physiological reserves and are later mobilized when oxygen and nutrients become limited. Highly clarified musts can reduce the availability of grape-derived lipids, while warm vintages and other stressful conditions place additional demands on yeast metabolism. Rather than focusing solely on nitrogen supplementation, PERFORMENS M™ helps provide the broader nutritional support yeast need to build these reserves and remain active through the most demanding stages of fermentation.
“For years the conversation around fermentation nutrition centered almost entirely on YAN,” said Dr. David Ferreira, Yeast Nutrition R&D Manager for Lallemand Oenology. “What the research now makes clear is that lipids, vitamins, and minerals matter just as much, especially as climate variability creates more stressful conditions for yeast. FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ was developed to support yeast across the whole fermentation, not just correct a single number.”
“Healthy fermentation relies on healthy yeast,” said Dr. Nichola Hall, General Manager – Fermentation and Enology for Scott Laboratories. “FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ represents a new generation of yeast nutrition, focused not simply on supplying nitrogen but on helping yeast adapt, respond to stress, and hold their fermentation momentum especially when conditions become difficult.”
Alongside this launch, Scott Laboratories has released a new Fermentation Nutrition Planner, a tool that helps develop a complete fermentation plan based on fermentation conditions.
FERMAID PERFORMENS M™ is available now through Scott Laboratories at scottlab.com.
About Scott Laboratories
For over 90 years, Scott Labs has been the leading supplier for the North American wine and specialty beverage industry, providing fermentation products, and filtration media. Scott Labs has been embedded in the wine community since 1933, where their story begins at the University of California, Berkeley, in the days just prior to the end of Prohibition. Scott Labs’ vision is to provide the best customer experience to the specialty beverage community. Their mission is to advance the long-term success of the specialty beverage community by providing best-in-class products and services. They believe in education, honesty, and doing the right thing. Scott Laboratories is headquartered in Petaluma, California, with regional offices and warehouses throughout California, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada. For more information regarding Scott Laboratories and the services and products that it supplies, please visit www.scottlab.com.
About Lallemand
Lallemand Inc. is a privately held Canadian company, and is a leading developer, producer and distributor of yeasts, bacteria and other microorganisms for the oenology, distilling, ethanol, brewing, animal nutrition, dietary supplements, baking, food, fermentation, pharmaceutical and plant care industries. Lallemand has more than 5,000 employees located in over 50 countries on all five continents. For more information: www.lallemand.com
The Oenology Business Unit is present in all wine regions of the world with its selected natural wine yeasts and bacteria, nutrients, specif ic yeast derivatives, enzymes and chitosan. They strongly invest in research and development, both internally and in collaboration with eminent research institutes.
