Jerry Lohr
Jerome J. Lohr | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1937 Clark, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, real estate developer, viticulturist |
| Known for | Founder of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; philanthropy in engineering education |
| Notable work | J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines |
Jerome Julian Lohr (born January 1, 1937) is an American entrepreneur specializing in real estate development, agriculture, and viticulture. He is the founder of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, headquartered in San Jose, California, with vineyard locations in the Paso Robles AVA (San Luis Obispo County), Arroyo Seco AVA (Monterey County), and St. Helena AVA (Napa Valley). Lohr is widely acknowledged as a trailblazer in establishing wine production on California’s Central Coast. In recognition of his contributions, the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU) was named after him in 2013.
Early life and education
Born in Clark, South Dakota, Lohr grew up on a family farm near Raymond, South Dakota, alongside four siblings. During high school, he was awarded the Edgar M. Soreng full-tuition scholarship to attend SDSU. While enrolled, he participated in the Air Force ROTC program and earned the distinction of Distinguished Air Force Cadet. Although he received nominations to both West Point and the Naval Academy, he opted to remain at SDSU.
Throughout his studies, Lohr worked part-time as a surveyor for J.T. Banner and Associates. He graduated with a civil engineering degree from South Dakota State College in 1958 and completed a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Stanford University by 1959.
Engineering career
After beginning doctoral studies in civil engineering at Stanford University until 1961, Lohr entered active duty with the United States Air Force and served as a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. He was honorably discharged with the rank of captain in 1964 but continued his work as a civilian researcher at NASA Ames until 1967. His focus included developing heat shield technology for manned space missions such as Apollo 11 and enhancing solar panel performance for satellites. Lohr was awarded a U.S. patent for an "energy damper system" designed to minimize oscillations.
Noticing the rapid growth of Silicon Valley’s population and housing needs, Lohr joined forces with Bernie Turgeon to launch Saratoga Foothills Development Corp. in 1965. Over four decades, from 1963 to 2003, their company built more than 900 custom residences along with 15 apartment and condominium complexes throughout Santa Clara, Alameda, and Monterey counties.
Winegrowing career
In the late 1960s, Lohr started investigating California’s wine-producing regions and established his initial vineyard spanning 280 acres in Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco area by 1972. He is credited with recognizing Monterey County’s suitability for cultivating white wine grapes and later expanded into Paso Robles AVA in 1986, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other red grape varieties.
Adam Strum, chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies, compared Lohr’s influence on the Central Coast wine industry to Robert Mondavi’s role in Napa Valley’s development. In 1975, Lohr helped found Monterey County Winegrowers (now known as Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association) and served as its chairman. Additionally, he held leadership positions within the Wine Institute and played a founding role in both Wine Vision and the National Grape Research Alliance.
Today, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines manages over 4,000 acres across Paso Robles AVA (San Luis Obispo County), Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Highlands AVAs (Monterey County), as well as St. Helena AVA (Napa Valley). In 2013, Steve Lohr took over as CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, while Jerry Lohr continues his involvement as an industry leader, philanthropist, and educator at SDSU.
Philanthropy and University Leadership
Lohr was among the initial contributors to the SDSU Alumni Center in 1976. He became involved with the SDSU Foundation in 1987 and served as its chairman from 1992 through 1994, during which he established the Jerome J. Lohr Award for Volunteer Leadership.
Additionally, Lohr held the position of chairman for the UC Davis Executive Leadership Board and participated as a member of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee at UC Davis.
His charitable efforts have predominantly supported his alma mater, SDSU. Notably, in 2003, he contributed $4 million toward the reconstruction of Solberg Hall, the facility housing the College of Engineering where he completed his studies. The following year, he gifted $2.3 million to fund the Jerome J. Lohr Building at the SDSU Foundation. By 2013, Lohr had successfully raised $254 million dedicated to SDSU infrastructure projects, culminating in the naming of the engineering school as the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. His generosity also extended to UC Davis, backing their LEED Platinum-certified Research and Teaching Winery at the Robert Mondavi Institute. In 2021, he provided $5 million to enhance the engineering college’s endowment and an additional $2.5 million to create the Justin and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Lohr’s philanthropic scope includes support for breast cancer initiatives, exemplified by contributions to the National Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of his late wife, Carol.
Personal Life
Lohr lives in Saratoga, California. He wed Carol Waldorf in 1959 after meeting her at Stanford University; together they had three children—Steve, Cynthia, and Lawrence—who currently co-manage J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Carol succumbed to breast cancer in 2008. In tribute, the family has launched two wine labels named "Carol's Vineyard" located in Napa Valley.
In 2009, Lohr remarried Jolene Johnson Barber, his longtime acquaintance from South Dakota State University; their wedding ceremony was held in Garretson, South Dakota.
Awards
- 1998 Distinguished Engineer, South Dakota State University
- 2007 Award of Distinction, University of California, Davis
- 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, California State Fair
- 2010 Professional Excellence in Oenology Award, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
- 2011 ASEV Merit Award, American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV)
- 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, California Association of Winegrape Growers
- 2016 American Wine Legend, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
- 2019 Agriculturist of the Year, California Mid-State Fair