3 cups potatoes (peeled and diced into ½-inch pieces, about 5 medium size potatoes)
2 cups celery (sliced very thin, about 3 large ribs)
1½ cups yellow onion (minced very small, about 1 large yellow onion)
3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
1½ teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
24 ounces clam juice ((3) 8-ounce bottles)
¾ cup butter
¾ cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk ( or half and half)
20 ounces chopped clams, do not drain (about (3) 6.5 ounce cans)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
freshly ground black pepper to taste