Walter J. Clore Award
Exceptional Contribution to the Industry

This award was initiated by the WSGS in recognition of service and significant contribution to the Washington State grape industry.  The following is used by the committee to choose the recipient:

• Service to the Washington State grape industry
• Service to and active participation in the Washington State Grape Society
  
• At least ten years activity with the grape industry
• Active in community service
  

Markus Keller​
2024 Walter J. Clore Award Recipient

Photo Courtesy of Ross Courtney, Good Fruit Grower

The winner of this years Walter Clore Award has served the Washington industry for over two decades. They have been passionate about viticulture, irrigation, and berry quality. They are highly effective in investigating answers and then passing on the knowledge. They are known to be a great mentor.
This year’s winner is a world traveler having lived on 3 continents but somehow now resides in Prosser, a pleasant place with pleasant people! And in this time, they have questioned the traditional knowledge of Washington viticulture and grape production to increase research-based information for decision making. In fact, one of the first years in Washington, this year’s winner hosted a blind tasting between high-end vintage wine and 2-buck chuck to compare the taste profiles! And according to this year’s winner, the argument between crop load and wine quality has been dispelled by science showing it is more to do with total vine management. This year’s winner is always pushing us to think critically and improve production.
This person, the oldest of 13 siblings, has always been engaged in agriculture and grew up contributing to the family farm. In fact, they were responsible for the first planting of a mini-kiwi orchard on the family farm. And while dedicated to the Washington Wine industry, there may someday be a ranch with horses to relax with his wife of 30 years, a former wine maker herself.
This year’s winner has a passion for science that has of course influenced his work, but also personal time. He has worked tireless in the evenings to author the book the textbook “The Science of Grapevines”.
And if you haven’t determined this year’s winner yet, perhaps his well-known accolades will help. He has a master’s in plant science and a PhD in natural science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich. He is also the Chateau Ste. Michelle Distinguished Professor of Viticulture at Washington State University. He currently serves as the science editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. His research and teaching have taken him across North and South America, Europe, and Australia. We are fortunate though to have him locally to raise a glass of Malbec in a congratulatory toast! Congratulations to the 2024 Walter Clore Award recipient, Markus Keller!

Past Walter J. Clore Award Recipients

2023- Dave Wyckoff
​2022- Melissa Hansen
​2021 - Albert Don
2019 - Dennis Pleasant
2018 - Gwen Hoheisel
2017 - Lynn Mills
2016 - Art den Hoed
2015 -  Jack Maljaars
2014  - Mike Means
2013 - Keith Oliver
2012 - Dr. Joan Davenport
2011 - Deb Heintz
2010 - Tim Grow
2009 - Gary Ballard
2008  - Craig Bardwell
2007 - Marcus Freepons
2006 - Kevin Corliss
2005 - Mike Concienne
2004 - Dr. Robert Wample
2003 - Andy Schilperoort
2002 - Dick Boushey
2001 - Mike Sauer
2000 - Wade Wolfe
1999 - Dave Tobin
1998 - Dr. Sara Spayd
1997 - Helen Willard
1996 - Kermit Dorsey
1995 - Bob Early
1994 - Jack Watson
1993 - Randy Hecker
1992 - Lonnie Conners
1991 - Dr. Raymond Folwell
1990 - Dr. Wyatt W. Cone
1989 - Ray Milne
1988 - Theodore Clapp
1987 - Lloyd Porter
1986 - Ron Grow
1985 - Don Golladay
1984 - Frank Olmstead
1983 - Les Fleming
1982 - Jim Eddie
1981 - Dave Wells
1980 - James White
1979 - Warren Tomlinson
1978 - Bill Lewis
1977 - Dr. Walter J. Clore

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Lloyd H. Porter Award
Outstanding Grower of the Year

Click here for the Lloyd H Porter Grower of the Year Nomination Form

This award recognizes grape growers who have succeeded in the following areas:

• Shown five or more years of quality grape production.
  
• Followed established or innovative practices on at least ten or more acres of grapes.
• Contributed to the advancement of the Washington grape industry through significant service.

Kevin Judkins
2024 Lloyd H. Porter Award Recipient

Photo Courtesy of Ross Courtney, Good Fruit Grower.

This year’s recipient is a remarkable individual whose dedication and passion have made significant impacts in both the agricultural and local communities.
The recipient is a proud graduate of Seattle University, where he earned his BA in Business Administration with a major in accounting and a minor in Finance. ​ He is also a distinguished graduate of the Washington Ag Forestry program, class 33.
Beyond his professional endeavors, the recipient is a devoted family man. ​ He met his wonderful wife in a sommelier class in the Prosser wine loft back in 2010. ​ Together, they have three energetic boys: who keep their weekends filled with youth sports and family adventures. ​
In his spare time, he enjoys Sunday football (Go Seahawks! ​), backpacking, camping, hiking, fishing, yoga, and assistant coaching his sons' baseball, basketball, and football games. ​
His commitment to the grapevine industry is evident through his active participation on several prestigious boards and committees, including the WSU Foundation Block Advisory Group, the WA Grapevine Advisory Committee, the National Clean Plant Network Tier 2 Committee, and the Washington Grape Society. ​
But his achievements don't stop there. He is the owner and operator of Inland Desert Nursery and Judkins Family Farms, a certified grapevine nursery and organic farming operation. ​ His farm boasts 125 acres of organic cherries and 250 acres of wine grapes, including 150 acres of WA certified mother-block. ​
Please join us in celebrating the 2024 Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the Year, Kevin Judkins!

Past Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the Year Recipients

​2023- Ryan Schilperoort
2022- Gary Schrimsher
2021 - Ed Crawford
2019 - Heath Cleveranga
2018 - Richard Hamman
2017 - Tom C. Judkins
2016 - Mimi Nye
2015 - Mike Miller
2014 - Jerry Pace
2013 - Randy Schilperoort
2012 - Virginia Kercheval
2011 - Dennis Pleasant
2010 - Larry Marchant
2009 - Archie den Hoed
2008 - Ken Lewis, Sr.
2007 - Albert Don
2006 - Art den Hoed
2005 - Don Golladay
2004 - Keith Oliver
2003 - Jerry Czebotar
2002 - Marvin Vining
2001 - Bill den Hoed
2000 - Lonnie Conner
1999 - Dion Bros.
1998 - Mike Sauer
1997 - John Mohr
1996 - Vernon Brown
1995 - Lynn Burns
1994 - Theodore D. Clapp
1993 - Fredrick Kilian
1992 - Gladys Murchland
1991 - Jim Herold