A freeze-dried immobilized biocatalyst produced by immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AXAZ-1 yeast cells on gluten pellets and subsequent freeze-drying was used in a multistage fixed-bed tower (MFBT) bioreactor for batch and continuous wine-making. The MFBT bioreactor resulted in higher alcohol productivity compared to fermentations carried out in a packed bed (PB) bioreactor and showed an important operational stability and no decrease in activity, even at low fermentation temperature (5 degrees C) and after storage for 6 months at 4 degrees C. The production of amyl alcohols proved to be temperature dependent and was significantly reduced at low temperatures. Re-activation of the freeze-dried immobilized cells after storage for 6 months resulted in further decreased content of amyl alcohols. The SPME GC/MS analysis of volatile compounds revealed no significant differences in the wines produced by MFBT and PB bioreactors, while the preliminary sensory evaluation ascertained the overall improved quality of the produced wines. Potential industrial application of MFBT bioreactor is also assessed and discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.