Calvin Scott Henry III, a renowned rocket scientist who transitioned into winemaking, sadly passed away on October 26 at the age of 86. Known as Scott to those who knew him, Henry’s work at Henry Estate Winery in Umpqua, Oregon, has left a lasting impact on the world of wine, reaching as far as Wilyabrup, Australia.

What many may not know is that to his 12 great-grandchildren, he was simply referred to as the “Great One.” His first great-grandchild found it difficult to pronounce “great-grandfather Scott,” so the name evolved into “Great Scott” and eventually settled on “Great One.” It seems the name was fitting for him, as none of his grandchildren have ever questioned its origin.

For the past several years, Henry’s daughter, Syndi Beavers, has been managing the day-to-day operations at Henry Estate. But Scott Henry’s journey began on the family farm in Umpqua, Oregon. Born on December 31, 1936, he went from studying in a one-room schoolhouse to earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Oregon State College, now known as Oregon State University.

It was at Oregon State College that Henry met his wife, Sylvia. With their degrees in hand and an eye on the emerging aerospace industry, they moved to Sacramento, California, where Henry began working for Aerojet, a rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer. At Aerojet, Henry led a mechanical design team that worked on components for rocket missiles used by NASA during the Apollo program.

When the space race began to slow down, Henry sought a new challenge. In 1972, he returned to his family’s farm in Umpqua to cultivate wine grapes. By then, Henry and Sylvia had three children – Scotty, Syndi, and Shari. They planted 12 acres of pinot noir, chardonnay, and gewürztraminer on the family property, and in 1978, construction of Henry Estate Winery was completed. It wasn’t until 1980 that they released their first wines, producing a remarkable 2,000 gallons.

Today, Henry Estate Winery produces thousands of cases of wine each year, largely relying on the expansion of their vineyard, which has nearly tripled in size since its initial planting in 1972. However, establishing those vineyards was not without its challenges. The vines grew too vigorously, with an abundance of leaves restricting airflow and sunlight. This posed problems for ripening the fruit and made them susceptible to rot.

Drawing on his engineering background, Henry developed a trellising system in 1982 to address these concerns. This system, now known as the Scott Henry Trellis System, split the canopy high and low, spreading the foliage to provide the grapes with increased airflow and maximum sun exposure. It was somewhat humorously referred to as “sun harvesting.”

As news of this innovative trellising technique spread, vineyards worldwide took notice. The 1980s and 1990s saw a rapid adoption of the Scott Henry Trellis in vineyards across the globe, from Australia and New Zealand to Chile and even rainy England. Vanya Cullen, a renowned winemaker, became a staunch advocate of the Scott Henry Trellis after conducting trials on her family’s vineyard in Wilyabrup, Australia. She found that grapes grown with this trellising system produced wines with superior flavor and ripeness, even after bottle-aging.

As a result of Cullen’s trials and the success seen in other vineyards, the Cullen estate vineyard now exclusively uses the Scott Henry Trellis for their cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot vines. Today, Beavers estimates that her father’s trellis system is utilized in tens of thousands of vineyard acres worldwide.

In addition to his groundbreaking trellis system, Henry was known for his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge with others, even those considered his competitors. He paved the way for future winemakers and offered support to those who sought to follow in his footsteps.

Calvin Scott Henry III may have started his career as a rocket scientist, but his passion for winemaking led to significant contributions to the industry. His legacy lives on through the Scott Henry Trellis System, which continues to shape vineyards all around the world. His impact will be remembered not only by his family and the wine community but also by the countless wine enthusiasts who have enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

**The Legacy of a Selfless Winemaker**

In the world of winemaking, there are those individuals who strive to leave a lasting impact beyond their own success. One such person is Henry, the mastermind behind the Scott Henry Trellis. However, unlike many inventors who seek to profit from their creations, Henry chose a different path. He refused to patent his invention, believing that sharing his knowledge would benefit the entire winemaking community.

For Henry, it was never about personal gain. He firmly believed that if his invention could assist other winemakers in creating better wine, then everyone involved in the industry would be better off. It was this willingness to share that made Henry truly exceptional.

In recognition of his lifetime achievements, Henry received numerous accolades. The prestigious Engineering Hall of Fame at Oregon State University welcomed him as an inductee in 2012. Three years later, the Southern Oregon Wine Institute honored him by dedicating the first two acres of their vineyard at Umpqua Community College in his name.

Sadly, Henry has since passed away, leaving behind a void that will be difficult to fill. However, his lasting legacy lives on at the Henry Estate Winery. On December 31, 2023, a memorial service will be held at the winery from 2 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend and share their stories of the “Great One.”

It is truly remarkable to witness the impact that Henry had on the wine industry. His selflessness and willingness to share his knowledge and inventions have left a lasting legacy that continues to benefit winemakers around the world. The recognition he received from esteemed institutions is a testament to his significant contributions.

As we honor the memory of Henry, it is important to remember the values he embodied. His story serves as a reminder that success should not always be measured by personal achievements, but by the positive influence one has on others. Henry’s actions showcase the power of sharing knowledge and supporting the growth of an entire industry.

In the world of wine, the legacy of Henry and his Scott Henry Trellis will forever be remembered and celebrated. The impact he had on winemakers’ ability to create exceptional wine is immeasurable. We are grateful for his selflessness and the invaluable contributions he made to the world of winemaking.

*About the Author: Michael Alberty is a wine enthusiast and writer for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. For more of his coverage, visit oregonlive.com/wine. If you have any inquiries, feel free to reach out to him at malberty0@gmail.com.*

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