News - VEN Alumni

Head-and-shoulders portrait of an older smiling man with gray hair and mustache, wearing blue shirt

Remembering Walt Klenz

A champion of the wine industry and a longtime RMI supporter

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We are deeply saddened to share that Walter “Walt” Klenz passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026 at the age of 81. He was a champion of the wine industry and a longtime supporter of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Our thoughts are with his wife, Sylvia, and their family during this time.

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Head-and-shoulders portrait of an older smiling man with gray hair and mustache, wearing blue shirt

Remembering Walt Klenz

Viticulture and Enology
A champion of the wine industry and a longtime RMI supporter
  •  

We are deeply saddened to share that Walter “Walt” Klenz passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026 at the age of 81. He was a champion of the wine industry and a longtime supporter of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Our thoughts are with his wife, Sylvia, and their family during this time.

Walt Klenz at a Klenz lecture in 2020

Dr. Mark Kliewer toasting under the grapevine arbor at his home in Oregon in 2011.

Remembering Dr. Mark Kliewer

Viticulture and Enology

Renowned UC Davis Professor of Viticulture Mark Kliewer Dies at 91
Kliewer trained a generation of viticulturists and winemakers while conducting research which provided the foundation for modern vineyard management practices. 

Anita Oberholster

Remembering Anita Oberholster

Viticulture and Enology

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Anita Oberholster, Professor of Cooperative Extension in Enology in the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her passing leaves an immeasurable void in our UC Davis V&E family. Above all, our thoughts are with Anita’s husband, Connie, and their two children during this difficult time.

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