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
  

Dave Wyckoff​
2023 Walter J. Clore Award Recipient

Photo Courtesy of Kate Prengaman, Good Fruit Grower

​Dave Wyckoff's  father moved the family from Western Washington to Grandview in 1950 where their family farming endeavor began.
At an early age the farming lifestyle was instilled in Dave, working before and after school and during school breaks to contribute to the family business.  After a brief stint away to attend school, where he met the love of life Priscilla to whom he has been married to for over 50 years, he returned to the family business in 1975 where he has since guided the farm and ancillary businesses with his steady, thoughtful and humble disposition.  Today the farm is a diverse operation with farms throughout Eastern Washington, from the Wahluke slope to the Horse Heaven Hills.  Under his leadership the family farm, while focused on crop production has expanded its interests to include various fruit and vegetable processing operations.
Shortly after returning to the family business, having always the interested in new farming opportunities, began planting wine grapes and making wine in collaboration with the farm and his newly formed winery Coventry Vale.  Operating one of the first custom wineries in Washington State, Dave has in his typical reserved fashion been instrumental in supporting Washington’s wine and juice industry through extensive vineyard developments serviced by multiple wine and juice making facilities. 
The Washington State Grape Society is happy to award Dave Wyckoff as the 2023 recipient of the Walter Clore Award. 

Past Walter J. Clore Award Recipients

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.

Ryan Schilperoort
2023 Lloyd H. Porter Award Recipient

Photo Courtesy of Kate Prengaman, Good Fruit Grower.

Ryan was born and raised as a third-generation Concord grape grower in Sunnyside, Washington. His father and grandfather raised Concords on the same land he is farming today.  He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1988 and went on to attend Washington State University and received a Bachelor’s in Agribusiness in 1992. While attending WSU, he was a recipient of the WSGS scholarship.  He returned home to marry his high school sweetheart.
Right out of school, Ryan went to work for the FarWest Spearmint Commission. He then took a job with Bleyhl Farm Service and then as a farm manager for Heffron Orchards before he was able to commit to full-time farming of his own ground and the 3rd generation family farmland in 2010.   His children have fond memories of picking up endless rocks, roots, and debris during this time!  Ryan was a board member of WSGS for several years serving as Vice-President and Treasurer during his terms.
Best known for his preference for neat and clean fields, he maintains very well-kept vineyards.   He lives in Sunnyside with his wife Julie of 30 years. They have 2 children, Lindsay of Boulder, Colorado, and Clay, of Sunnyside, WA. 

The Washington State Grape Society is happy to award Ryan Schilperoort as the 2023 recipient of the Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the year award.  

Past Lloyd H. Porter Grower of the Year Recipients

​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