As of April 17, 2013, construction of the Clore Center is on schedule for completion in October!

Nominations are open for the 2013 Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame.  Nominees are individuals who exemplify legendary status because of contributions and commitment to the Washington wine industry. Eligible candidates must have been Washington residents for 25 years and involved in the wine industry for 25 years. Nomination forms and criteria are available at www.theclorecenter.org on the Legends of Washington Wine drop-down list under the ‘Events’ tab.

A selection committee considers the nominee’s impact on the wine industry, contributions to the community, and their historical and lasting significance for future generations. The selection committee includes representatives from each of the state’s viticultural regions. Committee members independently review and rate the nominees. The Legends Gala honoring the 2013 inductee will be hosted at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center’s Vineyard Pavilion on the evening of Friday, August 9, 2013.

Previous inductees to the Hall of Fame include: S.W. “Bill” Preston, founder of Preston Premium Wines; John and Ann Williams and Jim and Pat Holmes, wine pioneers from Red Mountain; Stan Clarke, a 30-year industry veteran; John Anderson, a visionary and mentor who believed Washington would compete globally based on premium quality grapes; David Lake, MW, renowned for his experimentation with new varietals and for wine innovations; Bill Powers, pioneer of  low-impact and organic viticulture; Dr. Myles Anderson, founder of the Institute for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College; and George Carter, research partner of Dr. Walter Clore. A commissioned bronze piece will remain on display at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center to memorialize each inductee.

The Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame is a project of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center.  Named after the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Clore Center will be a centrally located, must-see learning center that promotes Washington wine and food by engaging visitors to experience the diversity and quality of Washington’s wine and food products.

Dr. Clore began his life’s work in 1937, studying vinifera grapes and their potential for growth in Washington soils.  His research, a cornerstone of the industry’s development, earned him official recognition from the Washington State Legislature as the “Father of Washington Wine”.

The Center’s site, located in Prosser off I-82 at Exit 82, overlooks the Yakima River and offers views of the Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Mountain. Prosser was chosen because of its distinction as home of the largest irrigated agricultural research center in the United States (WSU-Irrigated Ag Research and Extension Center) where Dr. Clore conducted his research.

The main, 15,000 square foot Clore Center and grounds, designed to complement its natural surroundings, will feature a demonstration kitchen, tasting area (wine and food) and retail space and will offer indoor and outdoor venues for conferences, meetings, business and social events. The Center is currently under construction and scheduled for completion toward the end of 2013.

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For Immediate Release
CONTACT
Deb Heintz
Prosser Economic Development Association
509-786-3600

Walter Clore Center and Port of Benton Announce Architect

Kennewick, WA – During the annual meeting of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, Clore Board Representative Mike Hogue announced that ALSC Architects of Spokane, Washington had been contracted to design the 15,000 square foot Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Center will promote the quality and diversity of Washington State wine and food through education and hands-on experience. The Clore Center will be located in Prosser, Washington on 24 acres overlooking the Yakima River. Prosser is home to the largest irrigated agricultural research center in the United States (WSU-IAREC) where Dr. Clore began his research in 1937 on small fruits and vegetables. The Clore Center site is easily accessible by car from I-82, Exit 82.

The Clore Center has a strong working relationship, as well as an operating agreement, with the Port of Benton. The two entities were co-applicants and recipients of a $2 Million Public Works Grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in April of 2011. During the press conference, supportive comments were offered by representatives from the Port of Benton as well as Washington State Wine Commission, Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers and Washington State University.

Jeff Warner, AIA, LEED, of ALSC Architects discussed the firm’s excitement at having been selected to design the Center. He described how ALSC was working with the Clore Center to define spaces and capacities of the facility. Designed to complement its natural surroundings, the conceptual 15,000 square foot wine- and agri-tourism Center and grounds will offer several indoor and outdoor venues including a tasting room, demonstration kitchen, agriculture and viticulture exhibits, classrooms, conference rooms, office space, retail shop, instructional vineyards, interpretive and production gardens and a walkway along the Yakima River. Fundraising is on-going for these fundamental assets in addition to furniture, fixtures and equipment.

While the Clore Center is being designed and built, the Vineyard Pavilion, a 2,400 square foot satellite building to the main Center, is open and available for event rental. Held in August of each year, the Legends of Washington Wine gala and the annual Prosser Wine & Food Fair permanently relocated to the Clore grounds in 2011.  Contact the Clore Center’s Marketing and Event Coordinator, Abbey Cameron, at 509-786-1000 or at abbey@theclorecenter.org for more information.

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In this issue…

• Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame Celebration
• New York Wine Centers Tour
• Capital Campaign
• Clore Center Role and Goals
• Vineyard Pavilion Available for Events
• Future Wine Science Center Role and Goals

Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame Celebration
Dr. Myles J. Anderson was honored as the 2011 Legends of Washington Wine inductee by more than 250 industry peers at the celebration held on Friday, August 12, 2011. Dr. Anderson’s distinguished career as author of several instructional texts and Founding Director of the Institute for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College, now retired, continues to have a positive impact on the industry with more than 1,600 students completing the coursework since the program was launched. In addition, Dr. Anderson is co-owner/winemaker of Walla Walla Vintners, the eighth winery to open in the Walla Walla Valley.

An annual fundraising program in support of the Clore Center, Legends honors those whose contributions to the community and the wine industry are of historical and lasting significance. More than $30,000 was raised this year through event sponsorships, live and silent auctions and the sale of the Legends red wine, a 2009 Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon blend made by winemaker John Freeman of Waterbrook Winery and sourced from Canyon Ranch, one of Waterbrook’s estate vineyards near Prosser.

New York Wine Centers Tour
Clore Board members Deb Heintz, Bob Stevens and Charlie Bush and Deputy Director for the Washington State Wine Commission, Chris Stone traveled to New York in late July to tour the New York Wine and Culinary Center and the new Finger Lakes Wine Center in preparation for the design and construction phases of the future Clore Center.

Key findings:

• Open with no debt
• Use a commercial architect.
• Create flexible space
• Use natural light
• Evolve to meet market demand over time

Capital Campaign
The final phase of private fundraising is underway.
If you are a private donor and would like to be involved, contact Kathy Corliss at the Clore Center: (509) 786-1000 or kathy@theclorecenter.org.

Clore Center Role and Goals
Named after the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center is a non-profit organization focused on wine and food marketing and education to consumers, wine and food industry and trade, and media.

Goals:

• Promote Washington State wine and food by building an understanding through education of the quality and diversity of the State’s wine and food products
• Increase brand awareness
• Expand market demand
• Create jobs
• Foster industry collaboration

Vineyard Pavilion Available for Events
The Vineyard Pavilion at the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center is now scheduling meetings, events and weddings. The facility features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, indoor fireplace, wall-mounted large screen television and a catering kitchen. In the warmer months, the glass walls open onto one or two patios for indoor/outdoor events. With views overlooking the Yakima River, the Vineyard Pavilion hosts memorable events with wine country charm.

Planning a holiday event? Contact Abbey Cameron abbey@theclorecenter.org today to reserve your date.

Future Wine Science Center Role and Goals
The Wine Science Center is a branch of Washington State University focused on viticulture and enology research and education to undergraduate and graduate students and the wine industry.

For additional information, visit wine.wsu.edu.

Goals:

• Support growth of Washington State’s wine industry through viticulture and enology research and education
• Enhance leadership in agriculture and food research and education
• Increase economic vitality of Washington State
• Foster industry collaboration