Award-Winning Graduate Students Advance Critical Research in Viticulture and Enology Across North America.
June 23, 2026 (Lovettsville, VA) — The American Wine Society Educational Foundation (AWSEF) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its annual scholarships, awarded to graduate students conducting advanced research that supports the North American wine industry.
This year, eight outstanding scholars from leading research institutions were selected for their innovative and impactful studies in viticulture, enology, grape breeding, plant pathology, and soil science.
“Each year, we are inspired by the caliber of research being done by these emerging leaders,” said Kristen Lindelow, President of the AWSEF. “Their work directly addresses the challenges winegrowers face today—from extreme weather and trunk diseases to pest management and quality enhancement. Supporting their efforts is central to our mission.”
The 2026 AWSEF Scholarship Recipients are (in alphabetical order):
William Anderson, MSc Candidate at Texas A&M, is developing GLRaV-3-resistant Vitis vinifera rootstock varieties using traditional and novel techniques.
Virginia Wylder Scholarship
Aliyah Brewer, PhD candidate at Cornell University, is advancing the resilience of new wine grape varieties through downy mildew disease resistance.
AWS Chapter of Dayton/ Springfield, OH Scholarship
Sarah Caballero, PhD candidate at Oregon State University, is developing a protective coating designed to prevent smoke-derived compounds from entering grapes pre-harvest.
AWS North Wake Chapter Scholarship
Harper Esterak, MSc candidate at Texas A&M, studies how growing conditions of American oak in Texas may influence how oak expresses itself in wine.
AWS North Alabama Chapter Scholarship
Hannah Frank, PhD candidate at Cornell University, studies grapevine interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to help growers produce high-quality wine grapes with optimized inputs.
AWS Carroll County Chapter, G. Hamilton Mowbray Memorial, in memory of Bill Eisberg
Agostino Gamba, MSc candidate at the University of California at Davis, investigates and quantifies the effects of Grapevine red blotch disease, GRBV, on vine physiology, as well as production and fruit quality metrics.
AWS Educational Foundation Scholarship, In Memory of Ken Brewer
Daniela Menendez, PhD candidate at Virginia Tech, works to advance the sustainable management of the spotted lanternfly (an invasive planthopper, SLF) in American vineyards.
W.J. RACHELE Endowment Scholarship
Taran Rowles, MSc candidate at the Pennsylvania State University, develops innovative techniques and tools for ground cover and soil management that improve North American vineyard sustainability and wine quality.
AWS Smoky Mountain Chapter Scholarship, in the name of Alcide L Porell
The AWSEF is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in the grape and wine industry. Scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from AWS chapters, endowed funds, and individual donors.
About the American Wine Society Educational Foundation
The American Wine Society Educational Foundation (AWSEF) is a non-profit organization with a mission to support educational and research activities that will advance the viticultural and enological sciences to achieve a world-class North American wine industry. Decisions regarding awards are made by the Scholarship Committee and are final. To learn more about the Foundation or contribute to future scholarships, visit www.awsef.org.
