The Wine Society of Texas announces its 2018 Scholarship Grant Program Awards totaling $10,000 to students for assistance in wine and winery education, internship or field study in Texas, research work as it pertains to grape growing and wine making in the state of Texas

 Midland, Texas (6 September 2018) - The Wine Society of Texas (WST), a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization, is pleased to announce that it will be awarding grants totaling $10,000 in support of six individuals from around the State. These  individuals are: (a) attending institutions in the State of Texas(b) studying viticulture and oenology, or (c) pursuing winery internships in Texas, or (d) involved with Texas winemaking or field studies / wine education, or (e) involved in promoting the education of grape growing and wine making in the State of Texas.

This scholarship assistance program is consistent with the founding ideas of WST and its continued mission to enhance the appreciation of wines, foster the knowledge of oenology and viticulture, support charitable activities, and educate wine consumers throughout the State of Texas. The funding for the WST Scholarship Grant Program is provided through charitable donations, local WST Chapter fund raising events, and annual statewide wine events.

 

Following is a summary of this year’s award recipients:

$3,000 James F. Whitley Founder’s Grant is awarded to Madison Hawkins.

“Ms. Hawkins is an Undergraduate student at Texas A&M majoring in Agriculture Economics with a minor in Horticulture. She is also working on obtaining certification in Enology and Professional Event Management. Her long
range goal is to own her own winery. Ms. Hawkins was a 2017 WST Jim Evans Winemaker Grant recipient.”

$2,000 Russell Kane Grant is awarded to McKenna Keele.

Ms.Keele is beginning her senior year at Texas Tech and is working towards her bachelor’s degree in Plant and Soil Science - Viticulture and Enology. After graduation she plans to pursue a Master’s Degree. Ultimately she would like to have her own vineyard.”

$1,500 Paul Bonarrigo Grant is awarded to Camille Hicks

         “Ms.Hicks is currently beginning to work towards obtaining a Viticulture Certificate from Texas Tech. She is a Wine Sommelier/Consultant in Houston and has obtained a Specialist of Texas Wine Level 1 Certification. Her long range goal is to own a vineyard and winery in east Texas on family owned property.”

$1,500 Merrill Bonarrigo Grant is awarded to Carlos Elizondo

“Mr. Elizondo is a graduate student at Texas A&M pursuing a Master of Science degree in Horticulture with an emphasis on Enology and Sensory Science. Through the use of sensory science he wants to help Texas wineries solve wine quality issues that arise with making wine in unforgiving heat in Texas. Mr. Elizondo was a 2017 WST Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo Grant recipient.”

$1,000 Wine Society of Texas Grant awarded to Sherah Mills

“Ms. Mills is working on her last semester of graduate school. She will earn her Master’s Degree in Plant and Soil Science – Viticulture from Texas Tech University in December 2018. After graduation, her plans include promoting her family’s winery and newly opened tasting room in Fredericksburg. The tasting room will help promote small family businesses and wineries in Texas. Sherah is a 2016 WST Russ Kane Grant recipient.”

$1,000 Wine Society of Texas Grant awarded to Matthew Bauman

"Mr. Bauman is a doctoral student engaged in wine-focused research at the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute at Texas Tech University. He is currently conducting field research to understand the wine club model as well as study the importance of wine tourism clusters, namely in Fredericksburg, Grapevine and the High Plains area. His long-range goal is to obtain a position as a professor and teach courses about wine marketing, wine tourism and wine appreciation."

This is the sixteenth year that the WST has provided grant assistance through the Scholarship Grant Program providing over $77,000 in total. “This year we had the most applicants than we’ve ever had, which demonstrates the passion of young students to venture into the Texas wine industry and helping in its growth. Therefore, The Wine Society is pleased to continue its long tradition of providing meaningful scholarships to these worthy individuals. This is our way of “going local” to support Texas talent and invest in the future of the Texas wine industry.” said Ms. Shirley Choate, State President of the WST.