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www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MARCH 15, 2015 7 S everal long-time industry members were honored for their decades of growing, industry involvement, and roles in the advancement of Washington State's wine grape industry during the annual meeting of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. Kevin Corliss, who spent his career w o r k i n g t o improve, expand, and enhance the Washington wine grape industry, r e c e i v e d t h e Grape Growers' Industry Service Award. Corliss started as a wine lab intern at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 1983 a n d w o r k e d his way to vice p r e s i d e n t o f vineyard operations. Corliss oversees the Ste. Michelle's Oregon and Washington vineyards. In Washington, Ste. Michelle's acreage represents about two-thirds of the state's supply of wine grapes. Corliss also works with 80 growers under contract. He's known in the industry for his vol- unteerism, passion for grapes, problem solving, ethical dealings, and relationships, said Colin Morrill, of Constellation Brands Northwest, who presented the award. Corliss has held leadership positions in the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, Washington State Grape Society, Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration, and the Wine Advisory Committee, which provides rec- ommendations on research projects. He helped develop and update Vinewise, a sustainable viticulture and self-assessment guide for Washington growers. Corliss has been active in the state's grape clean plant program, helping maintain and support funding for mother blocks. He also worked with Washington State University scien- tists on research related to clean plants. Robert Rivera, vineyard manager for Goose Ridge Estate Winery, was named the Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year. Rivera was recognized for his pas- sion for viticulture, meticulous approach to farming, and ability to fine- tune crop quality through canopy m a n a g e m e n t and irrigation. Rivera manages Goose Ridge's 1,600 acres of w i n e g r a p e s south of Red Mountain. R i v e r a h a s been with the M o n s o n f a m - ily, owner of Goose Ridge for more than 20 years. He was part of the beginnings of Goose Ridge Vineyards, which started in 1998. Before that, he was involved in the family's apple production. Rivera got his agricultural start at Jack Frost Orchards in the Yakima Valley during high school and had worked 20 years for Jack Frost/Marley Orchards before joining the Monson family. Rich Wheeler, longtime viticulturist for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates who now lives in Hawaii, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Wheeler began as assistant manager for Ste. Michelle's Cold Creek Vineyard in 1969, became director of grower relations in 1996, and later director of vineyard operations. He ended his more than 40-year career with Ste. Michelle when he retired in 2010. Wheeler is credited for helping expand wine grape production in the Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain appel- lations and is said to have "loved giving growers Ste. Michelle contracts and planting vineyards." 42nd Street Café and Bistro in Long Beach, Washington, owned by Blaine and Cheri Walker, was named Restaurant of the Year. The Walkers were recognized for their outstanding Washington wine list, exceptional efforts to showcase Washington wines, and knowledgeable wine staff. The Walkers have operated the road- house-style restaurant in Long Beach for more than 30 years. —M. Hansen Introducing Madex HP for control of codling moth and oriental fruit moth larvae. Now you have a selection of highly eff ective granuloviruses. So potent they can be used at ultra-low rates for cost-eff ective control. Ideal for managing insecticide resistance and residues. Four-hour reentry interval (REI) and zero plant harvest interval (PHI). OMRI ® Listed and NOP Approved. Double Trouble for Codling and Oriental Fruit Moths. CYD-X ® HP and ma - dex ® hp The most potent codling moth and oriental fruit moth viruses...ever. © 2015 Certis USA ] [ © 2015 Certis USA 1-800-250-5024 • www.CertisUSA.com Kevin Corliss Robert Rivera Washington Wine Grape Growers honor industry members