Rohnert Park, CA– This year the Wine Business Institute within the School of Business and Economics at Sonoma State University gave away seven scholarships totaling $23,7 00 to worthy students. The largest scholarship awarded was the Charlie Palmer Pig’s and Pinot Scholarship worth $10,000, made available by Charlie Palmer and Daryl Groom. There were numerous applicants and the review committee ended up selecting two students who show financial need, live locally in a North Coast wine region, and whom will pursue a career locally in the wine or food industry, the main requirements of the scholarship. Undergraduate wine business strategy majors Christian Gutierrez and Itze Pena-Andrade were the two selected to receive the award.
The second scholarship was the Donn P. Reisen Memorial scholarship worth $5,000. Donn’s widow, Marilyn Reisen set up the scholarship in partnership with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) of which Donn was a long-time member, to carry on his passion for the wine industry. The recipient of this scholarship needed to demonstrate the qualities that made Donn Reisen an industry leader: a passion for the industry and its products, a commitment to wine education, and the warmth and generosity that allowed him to connect with so many over his legendary career. Wine MBA graduate student, Lauren Wyer was selected to receive this scholarship.
Women for WineSense, a national organization that supports wine education at any age celebrated their 25th anniversary this year and with that increased their scholarship from $1,000 to $2,500. The scholarship went to an undergraduate wine business strategies and marketing student, Brooke Bartolomei, a fifth generation of Bartolomei Brothers Vineyards in Mendocino County. Another national wine organization, Rhone Rangers, donated their second scholarship worth $3,000 to a student who showed great interest in Rhone grape varietals throughout her career, Leslie McCain. Leslie is currently pursuing her Executive Wine MBA while working for Monticello Vineyards in Napa Valley.
Sonoma States very own professor, Dr. Liz Thach, made available a $1,000 scholarship, for students showing a passion for the wine industry and having financial needs. Justin Stushek, an undergraduate wine business strategies major, will be the first ever recipient of the La Tosh scholarship. Also new this year is TERRA FOSSILS Stomp Out Student Loans scholarship worth $1,000. This scholarship was made available by funds donated for every bottle that TERRA FOSSIL sold via local stores during a specific period of time. Anna DiMichele, undergraduate wine business strategies major was the recipient for this scholarship.
The final scholarship available was a $1,200 award to complete the Wine Business Institute Direct to Consumer Certificate, made available by the Concierge Alliance of Napa Valley and Sonoma, also known as CANVAS. This scholarship was available for non-matriculated, professional development students either currently working in the industry or pursuing career in the industry. Wine Marketing Associate for Schramsberg Vineyard & Davies Vineyards, Kayla Koroush was selected as the CANVAS scholarship recipient.
All of the scholarship recipients will be presented with their awards by their donors at the school’s annual Alumni & Community Celebration this Saturday, June 20th from 11am-1:00pm at Timber Crest Farms in Healdsburg. This annual event will also showcase the 4th Vintage of Sonoma State Cellars release of Cuvée and Zinfandel, along with live music, bocce ball and food, all are welcome to join.
About Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute
Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute is located in the heart of California wine country and was created through a public-private partnership between the university and the wine industry. Founded in 1995, it is the first program in the United States to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees focused exclusively on the business aspects of the wine industry. In addition to its academic programs that include the first undergraduate and graduate degrees with a concentration in wine business, the Wine Business Institute offers an array of professional development courses for the industry. Its faculty members are published experts, active researchers, and requested presenters on pressing industry topics. The Wine Business Institute operates within Sonoma State’s School of Business and Economics, a fully accredited AACSB institution. Learn more at sonoma.edu/winebiz
About Sonoma State University School of Business and Economic
Sonoma State University School of Business and Economics’ vision is to be the educational nucleus of a thriving North Bay economy. Its mission is to create extraordinary learning experiences for our students and to advance best business practices in the North Bay and beyond. With undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs serving over 1500 students each year and concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Wine Business, and Economics, the School offers the most in-demand degree on the Sonoma State campus. The School of Business and Economics is accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), making it one of 15% of all business schools in the world to meet these standards of excellence. For more information, visit sonoma.edu/sbe
