The months leading up to harvest are a make-or-break time for most wineries. While a lot of attention is (rightly) focused on the vineyard, it’s just as critical to get your facility operations in shape before the first grapes arrive. Your cooling systems, controls and production environment are all about to be pushed to their limits. The difference between a smooth season and a crisis can come down to how you plan right now. 

That’s where we come in. BMI Mechanical partners with California wineries to deliver proactive, facility-wide HVAC-R solutions that support the entire winemaking process. Whether it’s pre-season tune-ups, planned equipment upgrades or energy optimization projects, our job is to make sure your systems are ready before the pressure hits. Let’s walk through why this timing matters and how you can set your team up for success. 

Why Pre-Harvest Planning Matters 

When harvest season hits, your systems don’t have time to fail. From fermentation temperature control to bottling line efficiency, everything relies on a solid mechanical foundation. The challenge is that many facilities wait until something breaks before making improvements, and by then, it’s too late. 

Pre-harvest is your window to plan, assess and act. Right now, your systems are under less strain. That gives you the flexibility to shut down equipment temporarily, schedule installations and coordinate upgrades without disrupting your production schedule. Acting early also means you have access to equipment and crews before peak season backlog begins. 

Key Projects to Prioritize Before Harvest 

Every winery is different, but across the board, we see five main areas that should be addressed before harvest ramps up. Here’s what we recommend you prioritize: 

1. Cooling System Repairs & Replacements 

Your cooling equipment is at the heart of your winemaking process. Fermentation temperature control, barrel storage and even worker comfort all rely on stable, efficient cooling. If your chillers or compressors are older, undersized or showing signs of wear, now’s the time to fix it. 

Waiting until temperatures rise or production hits full swing will only make repairs more urgent and more expensive. We can help evaluate your equipment and determine whether it just needs a tune-up or if a phased replacement makes more sense. 

2. Controls Upgrades 

Modern control systems offer greater visibility, automation and precision. This is especially true when it comes to temperature-sensitive operations. If your current controls are outdated, difficult to monitor remotely or require constant manual adjustments, it might be time for an upgrade. 

We design and install custom control solutions that make it easier for your team to manage environmental settings across your entire facility. The result is fewer surprises and more consistent outcomes. 

3. Ventilation & Humidity Control 

Wineries operate in high-humidity environments, especially during crush and fermentation. Poor ventilation can lead to excess moisture and mold growth. Proper ventilation is not just about code compliance, but about protecting your product, your facility and your people as well. Now is the perfect time to inspect air handling units, test humidity controls and explore filtration options that improve air quality. 

4. Energy Efficiency Improvements 

As utility costs continue to rise, energy efficiency isn’t just a sustainability issue, but a cost control strategy. We help California wineries identify areas where energy is being wasted and offer upgrades that improve performance without sacrificing quality. 

This might include variable frequency drives (VFDs), upgraded insulation or system balancing projects that reduce the strain on your infrastructure. Many of these improvements also qualify for utility rebates or incentive programs, which we can help you navigate. 

5. Deferred Maintenance Wrap-Ups 

Let’s be honest: we all have projects that have been sitting on the back burner. The pre-harvest window is your chance to finally close the loop on those deferred tasks. Whether it’s an old air handler that needs replacing or a ductwork issue that’s been overlooked, knocking out small problems now prevents bigger issues later. 

Our team can help you prioritize tasks and handle the coordination needed to wrap things up smoothly. Even minor improvements can have a major impact once your facility is running at full speed. 

How a Trusted Partner Can Help You Move Faster 

You don’t have to take on all of this alone. Working with a mechanical partner who understands winery operations gives you a head start. We know how to balance production schedules with construction timelines. We know what systems matter most during a crush. And we know how to anticipate problems before they happen. 

We’ve worked with wineries across California, from boutique producers to large-scale operations. Our approach is collaborative, not transactional. We focus on long-term relationships built on trust, responsiveness and delivering value season after season. 

When you bring us in early, we can help scope the right solutions, secure equipment and coordinate installs well before harvest arrives. That means less stress and a lot more peace of mind. 

Schedule your pre-harvest evaluation and start planning the projects that matter most! 

Your Spring-Summer Timeline: What to Do Now 

We recommend structuring your pre-harvest preparation across three phases: 

April – May: Assess & Plan 

Now is the time to schedule site evaluations and review your current system performance. We can help identify risks, build a project list and start estimating budgets and timelines. 

June – July: Execute Projects 

This is your window to knock out repairs, replacements and upgrades. We coordinate with your team to minimize downtime and get the work done before peak operations begin. 

August: Final Tune-Ups 

As harvest approaches, we recommend a final round of system checks, sensor calibrations and airflow balancing to make sure everything is dialed in and ready. 

Don’t Wait Until the Grapes Arrive 

Harvest is one of the most important times of the year for your business. Every hour counts, and every system matters. The best thing you can do now is prepare. Let’s work together to make this your smoothest season yet. From pre-season assessments to turnkey installations, BMI Mechanical is here to support your winery at every stage.