Sandy Walheim retires after five years as an analyst with ETS Laboratories, closing an extraordinary career in the wine industry.
Walheim’s mantra, “Production comes first,” along with the strong work ethic inspired by her father, made a lasting impact at ETS through her dedication, positivity and service to others. Her greatest accomplishments have been mentoring and helping others learn to solve problems, said Walheim.
“We are so happy that Sandy was part of our ETS family — she brought invaluable knowledge and experience to the Healdsburg team,” said ETS co-founder Marjorie Burns. “We wish her a happy retirement as she embarks on a new chapter of life.”
As she retires, Walheim shares this advice: be patient, learn the “why” behind processes, and remember that you are not expected to know everything right away. In challenging harvest moments, she adds, “kill them with kindness.”
Walheim joined the ETS Healdsburg lab location, drawn to a role that used her winemaking background while challenging her scientific mindset. There, she remained connected to an industry she loves while she continued to learn, grow and bring a unique perspective to the team, said Walheim.
Walheim is looking forward to a fulfilling next chapter. “I am not going to have a problem filling my time,” she said. She plans to garden, knit, volunteer and work on a genealogy project while enjoying more time with her husband, friends and her two cats. Above all, she is excited to slow down, savor the moment and spend unhurried time in her garden, said Walheim.
About ETS Laboratories
Since 1978, ETS Laboratories has provided analytical testing and technical support across all stages of winemaking. With an extensive portfolio of ISO/IEC 17025-accredited methods spanning diverse technologies, the company advances industry standards through research, innovation, and education. Headquartered in St. Helena, California, ETS Laboratories serves wineries worldwide, with additional labs in California, Oregon, and Washington. For more information, visit etslabs.com.