Walter J. Clore (July 1, 1911 – February 3, 2003) was a pioneer in

wine growing Viticulture (, "vine-growing"), viniculture (, "wine-growing"), or winegrowing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. It is a branch of the science of horticulture. While the native territory of ''Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine, ...

and

agricultural research Agricultural science (or agriscience for short) is a broad multidisciplinary field of biology that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. Professiona ...

Washington state Washington, officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is often referred to as Washington State to distinguish it from the national capital, both named after George Washington ...

and has been formally recognized by the Washington State Legislature as the "Father of Washington Wine". Among his contributions to wine growing in Washington state was his extensive research into what areas of the state that premium wine grapes (particularly ''

Vitis vinifera ''Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine, is a species of flowering plant, native to the Mediterranean Basin, Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern ...

'') would most thrive in.Terrace Da
Walter Clore, Wine Grape Pioneer Dies
Feb. 3rd, 2003

Early life

Born in

Tecumseh, Oklahoma Tecumseh () is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The population was 6,302 by the 2020 United States census. It was named for the noted Shawnee chief, Tecumseh. The locale was designated as the county seat at Oklahoma's statehood, but a co ...

, Clore studied botany and agriculture in high school in

Tulsa Tulsa ( ) is the second-most-populous city in the state of Oklahoma, after Oklahoma City, and the 48th-most-populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tul ...

before attending Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College (Today known as

Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (informally Oklahoma State or OSU) is a public land-grant research university in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. The university was established in 1890 under the legislation of the Morrill Act. Originally known ...

). While majoring in

horticulture Horticulture (from ) is the art and science of growing fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs and ornamental plants. Horticulture is commonly associated with the more professional and technical aspects of plant cultivation on a smaller and mo ...

, Walter Clore also lettered in football as a lineman and was president of the agricultural fraternity

Alpha Gamma Rho Alpha Gamma Rho (; commonly known as AGR or The Rho) is an American social and professional agriculture-focused fraternity. It was established at Ohio State University in 1904. History Alpha Gamma Rho considers the Morrill Act of 1862 to be the ...

and elected to honorary membership to another agricultural fraternity Alpha Zeta. In the summers, he did survey work in

Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...

and

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

for the

United States Department of Agriculture The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an executive department of the United States federal government that aims to meet the needs of commercial farming and livestock food production, promotes agricultural trade and producti ...

Research and work

In 1934, Walter Clore married Irene Welsh and accepted a horticultural

fellow A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned society, learned or professional society, p ...

ship at Washington State College (now

Washington State University Washington State University (WSU, or colloquially Wazzu) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Pullman, Washington, United States. Founded in 1890, WSU is also one of the oldest Land-grant uni ...

) in

Pullman, Washington Pullman is the most populous city in Whitman County, located in southeastern Washington within the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. The population was 32,901 at the 2020 census, and estimated to be 32,508 in 2022. Originally founded as ...

. One of his first studies there was to measure the effect of "Bordeaux Sprays" (a sulfur and lime based mixture) on the

photosynthesis Photosynthesis ( ) is a system of biological processes by which photosynthetic organisms, such as most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy, typically from sunlight, into the chemical energy necessary to fuel their metabo ...

red Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...

and

golden delicious Golden Delicious is a cultivar of apple. It is one of the 15 most popular apple cultivars in the United States. It is not closely related to Red Delicious. History Golden Delicious arose from a chance seedling, possibly a hybrid of Grimes ...

apples. In 1937, Clore became assistant horticulturist at the Irrigation Branch Experiment Station (now known as the

Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center Irrigation (also referred to as watering of plants) is the practice of applying controlled amounts of water to land to help grow crops, landscape plants, and lawns. Irrigation has been a key aspect of agriculture for over 5,000 years and has be ...

) in

Prosser Prosser may refer to: __NOTOC__ Places ;United States * Prosser, California, a former settlement * Prosser Creek, California * Prosser, Nebraska, a village * Prosser, Washington, a city ;Australia * Electoral division of Prosser, Tasmania * Prosser ...

. There he oversaw the experimental plantings of nearly 20 ''

Vitis labrusca ''Vitis labrusca'', the fox grape, is a species of grapevines belonging to the ''Vitis'' genus in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The vines are native to eastern North America and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba, ...

'' hybrids and 7 ''Vitis vinifera'' grape varieties. In the years that follow, under Clore's direction the plantings at the Experiment Station would expand to include 45 hybrids, 71 ''Vitis vinifera'', and 10 interspecies ''Vitis'' hybrid rootstock. By 1974, Clore had overseen the plantings of 312 grape varieties. His work laid the foundation for the rebirth of the Washington State Wine industry as it conclusively proved that premium quality vinifera wine grapes could be grown in the rich

volcanic soil The soil composition of vineyards is one of the most important viticultural considerations when planting grape vines. The soil supports the root structure of the vine and influences the drainage levels and amount of minerals and nutrients that the ...

and warm climate of the Columbia River Valley. His test of trellis designs helped to promote the widespread adoption of modern

mechanical harvesting Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations of ...

techniques. In recognition of his contributions, Clore's legacy continues through the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, Washington, which aims to educate the public about Washington wine and celebrate Clore's life and achievements.

Awards and recognition

* 1967 ''"Mr. Asparagus"'' given by the Washington Asparagus Growers Association for his pioneering work in diversifying

asparagus Asparagus (''Asparagus officinalis'') is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus ''Asparagus (genus), Asparagus'' native to Eurasia. Widely cultivated as a vegetable crop, its young shoots are used as a spring vegetable. Description ...

varieties as part of harvest management. * 1977 ''"Man of the Year"'' by the Washington State Grape Society * 1988 ''Governor's Award'' for his service to the Washington Wine Industry * 1990 ''Award of Service'' from the

Gamma Sigma Delta Gamma Sigma Delta (), or more fully, the Honor Society of Agriculture, Gamma Sigma Delta, is an international honor society for agriculture students and those in related fields. Founded in 1913, it is the oldest and largest such society for its a ...

Honor Society of Agriculture * 1992 ''"Alec Bayless Prize"'' for viticultural contributions to the wine industry * 1993 Washington State University establishes the ''Walter J. Clore Scholarship'' for students in agriculture and

home economics Home economics, also called domestic science or family and consumer sciences (often shortened to FCS or FACS), is a subject concerning human development, personal and family finances, consumer issues, housing and interior design, nutrition and f ...

* 1995 ''Merit Award'' from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture * 2001, the Washington State Legislature passes a resolution to officially recognize him as the ''"Father of the Washington Wine Industry"'' * 2001

Columbia Crest Chateau Ste. Michelle is a winery in Woodinville, Washington, United States, east of Seattle. It is the state's oldest winery and produces Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, and Riesling, and has winemaking partnerships with two vintners: Col Solare ...

winery introduces the ''1999 Walter Clore Private Reserve'' Bordeaux style blend in his honor. The winery has continued to honor him with additional wines in this series.Columbia Crest Winer
Reserve Wines
* 2014 The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser, WA opens its doors after a decade of vision and hard work. The non-profit center honors Dr. Clore's legacy through tastings of featured wines from the state's 14 AVAs, interactive displays showcasing the history of wine and agriculture in Washington, and educational wine and culinary classes and experiences aimed at increasing consumers' knowledge and enjoyment of Washington wine and food. The location was chosen to reflect Dr. Clore's impact and how his work positioned Prosser as the birthplace of Washington wine.

References

External links

Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center

Walter J. Clore Scholarship For Viticulture and Enology
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clore American viticulturists Washington (state) wine 1911 births 2003 deaths People from Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma People from Prosser, Washington Oklahoma State University alumni Washington State University

Early life

Research and work

Awards and recognition

See also

References

External links