Forrest Glenn Klaffke, 56, of Jefferson, passed away Monday, December 26th, 2011 at his home after a long battle with cancer beginning in January 2009.  As Head Winemaker at Willamette Valley Vineyards, he became well-known for his award-winning Pinot noirs.  Forrest began his winemaking career 34 years ago screening winegrapes for quality at Bonded Winery #7, owned by United Vintners near Sacramento, California.  He sharpened his skills later working in Robert Mondavi’s cellar and rising to Cellar Foreman supervising a crew of forty at Sebastiani.  Unsatisfied with California’s Pinot noir, he moved to Oregon with his wife, Maria, only four days after their marriage to join Founder, Jim Bernau to make small, hand-crafted lots of Pinot noir at Willamette Valley Vineyards.

During his nineteen years at WVV, Forrest rose from Cellar Master, to Asst. Winemaker and then in 2002 was named Head Winemaker creating an array of 90+ point wines, including the acclaimed 94 point 2008 O'Brien Pinot Noir. His 30 years of dedication and focus earned him the distinction from friends and colleagues as "Winemaker Extraordinaire" and has been further acknowledged by Wine & Spirits magazine, who named the winery one of it’s 2011 "Top 100 Wineries of the World." 

Forrest was known for his work ethic, being the first to arrive at the winery each day and often the last to leave.  His approach to his work was uncompromising, leading to the high quality and acclaim for which his wines are known.  He was inclusive with his blending by asking his winemaking team and fellow winery colleagues their opinions to instill in each a sense of “ownership” in the final product.  During his three year battle with cancer, at his request, he shared his office with Winemaker Don Crank, to collaborate on each lot and blend to train Don for the time when Forrest would no longer be able to work.  Knowing he was losing his fight with cancer, Forrest chose to stay with the winemaking team through the challenging 2011 harvest, forgoing chemo treatments to keep his mind clear for managing the fermenters. 

He was born in Lodi, Calif, the son of Waldon and Pauline Mary (Clow) Klaffke. On April 15, 1993, Forrest married Maria Vatsula in Stockton, Calif. Forrest is survived by his wife, Maria; children, Daniel David Shepherd and his wife, Rachel Shepherd, of Salem and Georgianna Mikala Klaffke, of Jefferson; brothers, Ralph Klaffke, of New Zealand, Richard Klaffke, of Astoria, and Kurt Klaffke, of Neahkahnie.