Wine Industry Scholarships
The wine industry is growing in leaps and bounds. As wine becomes available to people of all socio-economic classes, and new technologies are making wine growing and production more innovative and interesting who knew that screw-top bottles would make a comeback! The study of wine production, viticulture and enology, is one the rise. Organizations across the country are just as excited to bring talented and energetic students into the fold as the students themselves, and they have made wine industry scholarships available for aspiring wine makers and grape growers.
While the study of viticulture and enology is certainly not brand new (people have been making and drinking wine for thousands of years), its popularity is growing at a rapid pace. It might be difficult to figure out where to start looking for viticulture scholarships or enology scholarships. But you are in luck!
We have compiled a great list of scholarships for wine industry study, and you can read on to find excellent online resources.
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to get into wine making and the industry. They produce lots of academic information and collect research from leaders in the field to make the most up-to-date information available to viticulture and enology professionals. The organization is dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production throughout the world. While the organization has its roots in California, it currently has chapters in the Eastern U.S, and as far east as Japan!
Scholarships offered by the American Society for Enology and Viticulture are competitive and are open to applicants in their junior year of a four-year academic program. These scholarships have no predetermined award amount, and are considered on a case-by-case basis each year. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships from the society.
It is also important to understand the geography of the wine industry when you are you looking for wine scholarships for college. Some of the best and most well respected viticulture and enology programs are on the west coast, the foremost being Washington State University. They are one of the few schools to offer a full major in viticulture and enology, and offer financial aid and scholarships for these future wine gurus. On the east coast, in the Ivy League, Cornell University offers a Viticulture and Enology major. Fresno State University offers multiple viticulture and enology scholarships for their programs on both the undergraduate and graduate level.
States with vineyards and high concentrations of wineries and producers are more likely to have foundations and associations devoted to awarding college scholarships for viticulture and enology. Organizations in these states, which are mostly on the Pacific Coast like California, Washington, and Oregon, exist to promote best practices and innovation in the wine industry. That includes scholarships to local colleges and universities.
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation is one such organization, and engages those who care about the wine industry, provides opportunities to enhance scholarships, education, outreach and research. They offer four scholarships between ranging in value from $500 to $2,000 for students.
The scholarships are named for pioneers in the Washington wine industry, and are open to both high school seniors and those currently enrolled in viticulture and enology programs at the college level.
Another thing to keep in mind in any growing area of academic interest like viticulture and enology is that fewer academic institutions have programs and degrees devoted to the science of making wine. Many of the wine industry scholarships are not only for college, but for certificate programs as well. For this reason, going directly to the source is an excellent strategy for winning scholarships for wine industry studies.
You many have to dig a little, but there are many financial aid options in the form of scholarships and fellowships for viticulture and enology study. Targeting your research to the right schools and regions, and taking advantage of the scholarship profiles here on FinancialAidFinder, will help you find the money that you need to pay for your degree, and open the door to a career in the wine industry.
American Society for Enology Scholarships >>>
