Sonoma County’s 2026 winegrape harvest is officially underway—and much earlier than most wineries anticipated.
The first grapes were picked in the Russian River Valley on July 16, marking the county’s earliest start to harvest in at least 40 years. While the first picks were Pinot Noir destined for sparkling wine, the news serves as an important reminder for wineries throughout the region: Crush can arrive quickly, and every part of the facility needs to be prepared.
For cellar teams, an accelerated harvest means adjusting production schedules, staffing and equipment plans. It also means making sure one of the winery’s most critical—and often overlooked—systems is ready for the sudden increase in activity: wastewater treatment.
Why an Early Crush Matters for Wastewater Treatment
Winery wastewater changes dramatically with the production calendar. Tank and barrel cleaning, equipment washdowns, bottling, floor washing and other cellar activities can generate large volumes of wastewater with fluctuating organic loads.
During the quieter months, a winery’s wastewater system may operate under relatively low and consistent conditions. Once crush begins, however, flow rates and contaminant concentrations can change rapidly. Systems that have not been properly inspected, maintained or prepared for higher-strength wastewater may struggle to keep pace.
With harvest beginning weeks earlier than many expected, wineries may have less time to complete routine maintenance, assess biological health and address equipment issues before production accelerates.
Five Wastewater Checks to Make Now
1. Assess the health of the treatment biology
Biological wastewater treatment relies on naturally occurring bacteria to break down soluble sugars, ethanol and other organic compounds found in winery wastewater. Confirming that the biology is healthy before flows increase can help prevent treatment disruptions during the busiest weeks of the year.
2. Inspect pumps, blowers and screening equipment
Wastewater systems contain pumps, blowers, instrumentation and other mechanical components that require regular maintenance. Inspecting this equipment now can help identify worn parts or developing problems before they result in downtime during crush.
3. Clean and calibrate sensors
Check pH probes, level sensors, flow meters and other instrumentation used to monitor system performance. Accurate readings are essential when conditions begin changing rapidly.
4. Review anticipated production changes
Wastewater characteristics can shift based on production volume, cleaning procedures and the chemicals used in the cellar. Winery teams should communicate upcoming changes in production schedules, sanitation practices or chemical use to their wastewater operator so the system can be adjusted accordingly.
5. Confirm alarms and remote monitoring are working
Automated alerts and remote monitoring can help operators identify abnormal conditions before they affect treatment performance or effluent quality. STS systems continually monitor parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients and flow, allowing aeration and chemical dosing to be adjusted as influent conditions change.
Preparation Creates Flexibility
The 2026 season is already demonstrating how quickly winery production plans can change. Wastewater treatment systems must be able to respond to the same seasonal variability.
Specialty Treatment Solutions provides operational support, remote monitoring, routine system inspections, biological health management, maintenance and troubleshooting for winery wastewater systems. STS’s state-certified operators and experienced technicians can also operate, service and repair systems that were not originally installed by STS.
Harvest is already here. Taking the time to evaluate your wastewater system now can help keep your winery running efficiently, maintain regulatory compliance and prevent wastewater treatment from becoming an unexpected bottleneck during crush.
Contact Specialty Treatment Solutions to discuss crush preparation, operational support or wastewater system maintenance.