Podcast Episode 5: Harvest Predictions with Sander Sheer & Glass with a Grower, Ashton Leutner

In this episode, Sander Scheer chats with us about the current state of the growing season and the expectations for the upcoming 2024 harvest. Sander shares an insider's look into vineyard operations, giving us a glimpse into the innovative techniques driving success at FARM Napa Valley.

In "Glass with a Grower," Ashton Leutner stops by with a bottle of 2018 Continuum and shares insights on the acclaimed vintage, as well as her journey in the wine industry and experiences at Continuum Estate leading up to this year's harvest.

This episode is partially funded by the USDA Risk Management Agency grant. We thank them for their continued support of our educational program and the launch of this very podcast. Please complete this two-question survey so that we can continue to receive grant funding for our educational programs.

Episode Highlights

"We waged a bit of a war in terms of mildew early on... followed up by fine-tuning with hand crews so that our sprays have an even better opportunity to target the fruit. It was a bit of a fight."

"This year, we’re blessed with big, robust canopies. It’s important to be mindful of when you start with irrigation because the switch flips every year—you’ve got this big canopy to maintain." - Sander Sheer

"The machines being produced today are remarkable... We can get a lot of tons off quickly when we need to. It’s incredible how clean it can pick if you spend the time to dial it in just right." - Sander Sheer

I was walking through one of our Cabernet blocks, and you could smell the California Bay; it blew my mind finding those aromatics in the wine later." - Ashton Leutner

“We’re just becoming more comfortable with harvesting on the earlier side, embracing more vine vigor, which may lead to earlier phenolic ripeness and less stress tannin.”​ ​- Ashton Leutner