Wine Industry Scholarships
These organizations provide grants and scholarships specifically targeted at students pursuing a certificate / degree in the wine industry.
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture annually awards numerous scholarships to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or in a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry.
Founded through a partnership of Urban Connoisseurs, the Association of African American Vintners and the United Negro College Fund, the Black Winemakers Scholarship Fund awards students $5,000 to pursue degrees in viticulture or enology.
Launched in 2020, Delicato Family Wines Winemaker Scholarship and mentoring program focuses on encouraging Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students to join the wine industry and support them through the academic pipeline to successful early career placement, by providing a fully paid scholarship, including living expenses, mentorship by a senior executive, professional development, and industry experience through paid summer internships and a guaranteed job upon graduation.
The California Winegrape Growers Foundation annually awards three types of scholarships: for children of association members who will be attending colleges in the California state university system, for children of grape growers who are attending community college, and for students pursuing a degree (or concentration) in viticulture or enology.
The International Wine and Food Society Foundation funds scholarship grants to students in the fields of oenology, viticulture and the culinary arts.
The Roots Fund offers scholarships for Black, indigenous and Latinx people to attend enology/viticulture programs and wine schools, including travel funds for internships and financial support for a WSET or Court of Master Sommeliers exam. An additional program, The Rooted in France scholarship, provides a bachelor’s degree graduate of an HBCU the opportunity to live and work in Dijon, France, while earning a master’s degree at the School of Wine & Spirits Business.
Gordon “Stanley” Howell Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship program is for students planning to attend a school that is a member in VESTA and who enroll with the intent to pursue a certificate or AAS degree in viticulture, enology or wine business entrepreneurship. Learn more and apply.
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation facilitates scholarships on behalf of Washington’s wine industry for qualifying students pursuing studies in viticulture, enology and other wine-related studies.
The Women of the Vine and Spirits Foundation, in partnership with E & J Gallo Winery, offer scholarships for students seeking a college degree in a field related to a career in wine, including the wine business. The Foundation also funds professional development opportunities.