2026 harvest planning · lead-time guide
When should you book custom crush capacity?
The short answer: before fruit timing starts making decisions for you. Use this guide to know what to send now, whether harvest is months away or fruit is almost moving.
Rule of thumb
60–90 days
That is the healthiest window to clarify scope, but late projects can still be screened if the intake includes enough detail for a fast capacity answer.
Booking timeline
The closer harvest gets, the more specific your intake needs to be.
90+ days before pick
Best planning window
Share target tons, varietals, case goals, production style, storage needs, and bottling timing. This is the cleanest time to compare scope and reserve a production path.
30–60 days before pick
Capacity screen needed
Bring confirmed or likely fruit source, pick-window range, chemistry expectations, and required services. Tank space, labor, and storage fit start to matter now.
7–21 days before pick
Harvest triage
Send the current pick forecast, tons by varietal, delivery logistics, fermentation expectations, and who can approve next steps quickly.
Week of pick
Call before fruit moves
Use the form for context, then call 951-395-3918. Same-week projects need a fast yes/no on receiving, crush-pad schedule, tanks, press time, and storage.
What to send first
A complete first message can save days of back-and-forth.
If you are not sure what you need yet, send ranges. If timing is tight, send the person who can approve next steps and the deadline for an answer.
- ✓Fruit source, varietals, estimated tons, and whether grapes are already contracted
- ✓Expected pick window plus anything that could move it earlier or later
- ✓Services needed: crush, press, ferment, age, lab work, storage, bottling coordination, or private-label planning
- ✓Decision-maker phone number and the date you need a production answer
- ✓Any existing winery, grower, or brand constraints that affect schedule or scope
FAQ
Custom crush lead-time questions.
How early should I contact a custom crush winery?+
For the cleanest capacity conversation, start 60 to 90 days before pick. If harvest is closer, contact the facility anyway with exact tons, varietals, pick window, and service needs so a fast fit screen is possible.
Can I request help if my pick date is not exact yet?+
Yes. A range is useful. Send the expected harvest month or week, what could move the date, fruit status, and services needed. The earlier those variables are visible, the easier it is to screen capacity.
What if fruit is being picked this week?+
Submit the form with all current facts and call 951-395-3918. Week-of-pick projects need immediate screening for receiving logistics, crush-pad availability, fermentation vessels, labor, and storage.
Screen your timing
Ask whether your harvest timeline still fits.
Use the notes field to include your current pick window, tonnage range, services needed, and the date you need an answer. If fruit is already moving, submit this and call.
Limited 2026 capacity
Check Harvest Availability
Tell us your tonnage, varietals, fruit status, timeline, and how close you are to a production decision. Include your best current estimates; you do not need a finalized production plan to ask about fit. If fruit is moving within 7 days, submit your details and call 951-395-3918.