Scholarships

Inspiring Leadership Through Education: 24 Women Leaders Awarded Scholarships by E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund and the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation

HEALDSBURG, Calif., Oct. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In an inspirational virtual ceremony that emphasized diversity, community and a dedication to the advancement of women, 24 women leaders were awarded $80,000 in educational scholarships from E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund in collaboration with the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation.

The scholarships, which will empower and support the professional development of the next generation of women in the wine, food and beverage business, are supported by an annual donation by E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Women Behind the Wine platform. The scholarship winners include three who earned $10,000 grants for Master of Wine, Master Sommelier and university-level studies. The 21 Fuel Your Dreams Award winners received up to $3,000 each to help provide education, resources and opportunities to thrive in wine, spirits, food and related industries.

“It is an honor to represent E. & J. Gallo Winery and the work that we are all doing to ensure that our industry attracts the next generation of women leaders,” said Stephanie Gallo, Chief Marketing Officer at E. & J. Gallo Winery. “The foundation of success is knowledge. These scholarships will help you focus on your talent and your education, not your funding. These awards will help support you and make you even more powerful leaders.”

Winners, many with their families or friends alongside in support, were brought together on Thursday, October 15th for a virtual awards celebration. In a video played at the ceremony, many winners spoke of how earning the scholarships gave them the confidence and means to continue their educational path in a year that has been challenging for many in the wine and spirits industry.

“From day one, we’ve put education, personal development and professional development at the forefront because these are critical to advancing women in this industry,” says Deborah Brenner, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Gallo family and the Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund in giving both their expertise as well as financial support, we are able to take our scholarships to another level.”

“I’m especially proud of the diversity among our scholarship winners,” says Gina Gallo, Vice President of Estate Winemaking at E. & J. Gallo Winery. “They represent the strong, thriving community of women at every level and in every discipline within the wine and spirits business and we are proud to help support them. Through these funds, we are helping to deepen their education and empower their unique voices. Education gives us power and every new voice makes our industry stronger and more dynamic.”

The $10,000 Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship was earned by Martha Vicedomini CS, CSW, a student at Sonoma State University’s Global Wine Executive MBA Program as well as a Strategic Projects Manager at importer Empson USA, Inc. “The benefits are endless when everyone has the opportunity to live and work in an environment that values authenticity and diverse voices,” she says. “I am deeply encouraged by the dedication of individuals like Elizabeth, industry leading companies like E. & J. Gallo Winery, and advocacy groups like Women of the Vine & Spirits. I see every dollar in scholarship funding as a temporary loan — one which must get paid back by extending investment and opportunity to the women who come after me.”

The $10,000 Master Sommelier Scholarship was awarded to Elli Benchimol. An Advanced Sommelier studying for Master Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers. She is the Head Sommelier at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab in Washington, DC as well as the Owner-Partner-Sommelier of Apéro DC, which is slated to open in spring 2021. “I’m so honored to be part of such a talented and inspiring group of women,” she says. “It’s such an amazing piece of positivity and light during such incredibly dark times.”

The $10,000 Master of Wine Scholarship was earned by Florencia Gomez. Originally from Mendoza, Argentina, Florencia earned her winemaking degree from Universidad Tecnológica Nacional before working harvests across the world. She then worked as an Export Sales Manager for Grupo Peñaflor before settling in London as a Master of Wine student and freelance brand strategist. “In today’s challenging context, it is a tremendous motivation not only to keep moving forward with my MW studies, but also an invitation to keep engaging with important topics such as gender equality, cultural diversity and sustainable practices within the wine industry,” she says.

For more information about the scholarships or to learn the inspiring stories of each winner, contact Kristina Kelley at kristina.kelley@ejgallo.com.

About E. & J. Gallo Winery
Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world’s largest family-owned winery with more than 7,000 global employees and is the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 100 countries around the globe. A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings. The Gallo portfolio is comprised of more than 100 unique brands.

About the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, beer, or hospitality industries through education, leadership, and professional development as well as fosters gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large. The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation is “Crafting a Better World”™ for Women in Wine, Beer & Spirits. For more information and to donate, please visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

Media Contact: Kristina Kelley
209-606-5020
kristina.kelley@ejgallo.com

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SOURCE E. & J. Gallo Winery

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Announces Call for 2020 Scholarship Applications

Foundation dedicated to cultivating leaders and feeding the talent pipeline in the alcohol beverage industry to award deserving scholars with thousands in financial aid

February 10, 2020 (New York, NY) – Today, Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the leading membership organization dedicated to advancing and empowering women in the wine, beer and spirits industry worldwide, announced that its charitable arm, Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. has opened the application window for 2020 scholarship opportunities.

Created to help further Women of the Vine & Spirits’ larger mission of helping women advance their careers within the traditionally male-dominated alcohol beverage industry, the Foundation provides annual scholarships and awards to deserving applicants interested in continuing their professional development and education for careers within the food, wine/spirits, and hospitality sectors. This year, the nonprofit will award scholarships to qualified applicants across four categories, which include Professional & Leadership Development, Student Educational, Continuing Education and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Scholarships.

An additional four scholarships are being made possible through the “Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund” supported by Patron Donor, E. & J. Gallo Winery. Those scholarship categories include Master Sommelier, Masters of Wine, Elizabeth Smyth Student and Fuel Your Dreams.

“Education is instrumental to creating change within any industry, which is why our organization is committed to providing qualified applicants with the funds needed to continue learning and, ultimately, help advance their careers,” said Founder & CEO of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Deborah Brenner. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with our generous donors to help continue our larger mission of not only advancing women in the industry, but diversifying the talent pipeline across the board.”

In 2019, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation awarded a combined total of over $134,000 to forty-four recipients. This year’s scholarship amounts will range in amounts between $300 to $10,000 and the number of recipients within each category will be determined based on the total of qualified applicants.

Applications are now being accepted online and the deadline for submission is June 30, 2020. Scholarship recipients will be awarded on September 10, 2020.

The Foundation is also seeking donations to award more recipients in 2020.

“Your tax-deductible donation to the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation can be a life-changing opportunity with far-reaching impact beyond financial assistance,” said Executive Director of the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Tara Davey. “Your donation, large or small, makes an impact; for as little as $300, your contribution can help a woman earn an industry certification.”

Further information about Foundation scholarship opportunities for 2020, including how to donate to the Foundation, as well as additional details about previous recipients is available here: womenofthevine.com/foundation

To learn more about Women of the Vine & Spirits, please visit: womenofthevine.com

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About the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance in the alcohol beverage industry through education, leadership, and professional development. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Announces 2019 Recipients

The non-profit aims to foster the next generation, cultivate leaders, feed the talent pipeline and attract more women to join the alcohol beverage industry.

Nov 12, 2019 (New York, NY) – Women of the Vine & Spirits, the world’s leading membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women in the alcohol beverage industry, announced today its non-profit arm, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3), has awarded scholarships to 44 deserving candidates, totaling $134,200 in total funds given in 2019.

The Foundation received 376 applications from applicants in 42 countries, including: Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czechia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts & Nevis, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.

“Providing women with education, resources, role models and career advancement opportunities is the cornerstone of our organization and Foundation,” said Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits. “Thanks to our generous donors, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation is cultivating leaders, feeding the talent pipeline and attracting more women to the alcohol beverage industry.”

In 2019, the Foundation hired Executive Director, Tara Davey to oversee the growth and development of the non-profit alongside the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, led by Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Alison Herman, Senior Counsel, Regulatory & Compliance, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; and Richard Tobin, CPA, CVA, CFF, Tobin & Collins, CPA, PA.

“I have been involved as President, CEO, and Board Member of multiple international companies in wine and spirits for 40 years and I understand first-hand the importance of how education and providing opportunities for women to thrive impacts our industry,” said Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines. “As a Board of Trustee of the Foundation, I am honored to be involved in the development of these women; each and every personal journey and anticipated achievements were touching, impressive, diversified, and enlightening and I am thrilled for what is to come for these women and the future of the alcohol beverage industry.”

2019 also saw the formation of the Foundation Committee comprised of the following individuals: Hannah Becker, Associate Attorney, GrayRobinson, P.A.; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; Renata Franzia Price, National Chain Manager, Bronco Wine Company; Cindy Haas, Senior Director, External Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Natalie Henderson, Principal, Corporate Communications & PR, E. & J. Gallo Winery; Dr. Kathryn LaTour, Associate Professor, Wine Services Marketing, Cornell University; Andrea McBride John, CEO & Founder, McBride Sisters Collection; Robin McBride, President & Founder, McBride Sisters Collection; David Rudman, Executive Director, USA, Wine & Spirit Education Trust; Dr. Liz Thach, MW, Distinguished Professor of Wine, Professor of Management, Sonoma State University; and Judy Viera, VP, HR, Breakthru Beverage Group. The Committee was responsible for reviewing applications and selecting finalists with guidance by Tara Davey.

The Foundation Committee is pleased to announce the following recipients of the 2019 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships:

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Scholarships: Supported by Our Generous Donors

Professional & Leadership Development Scholarship: Deanna D’Alfonso, Jersey City, NJ; Educational Scholarship, Student: Taylor Amerman, Louisville, KY; Tori Russotti, San Luis Obispo, CA. Educational Scholarship, Continuing Education: Kristin Harper, Phoenix, AZ; Sabrina Lueck, Walla Walla, WA. WSET Level 1 Award in Wines: Tara Kelly, Sebastopol, CA. WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits: Christie Verschoor, Rye, NY. WSET Level 2 Award in Wines: Nicole Wells, Rohnert Park, CA. WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits: Ana Hinz, Seattle, WA. WSET Level 3 Award in Wines: Gbemisola Johnson, Nigeria. WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines: Elizabeth Moss, Kennewick, WA.

Patron Scholarships: Supported by the Generous Donation of E. & J. Gallo Winery “Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund”

Master of Wine Scholarship: Sarah Bray, Brooklyn, NY. Master Sommelier Scholarship: Mariya Kovacheva, West Palm Beach, FL. Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship: Yordanos Gebru, Cumming, GA. Fuel Your Dreams Award: Crystal Angela Dewana, Hercules, CA; Kelli Silva, Napa, CA; Meghan Vergara, Carlsbad, CA; Nicole Walsh, Watsonville, CA; Julia Ammons, Chino Valley, AZ; Cristin Castro, Austin, TX; Brenda Kowen, Millersview, TX; Cedar Stoltenow, Chicago, Il; Michelle Beathard, Wellington, FL; Rachel Ford, Atlanta, GA; Kathleen Young, Acworth, Georgia; Bryanna Cooper, Washington DC; Keely Rosenthal, Charlotte, NC; Chasity Cooper, Chicago, IL; Madison Malott, New York, NY; Omolola Olateju, Brooklyn, NY; Tracy Cryder, Little Rock, AR; Jennifer Pyle, St. Helena, MT.

Benefactor Scholarships: Supported by the Generous Donation of McBride Sisters Collection “McBride Sisters Collection SHE CAN Professional Development Fund”

Certificate Program in Business of Wine: Billie Harris, Atlanta, GA; Shanika Hillocks, New York, NY. Degree in Wine Business Management: Jessica Diaz, Fayetteville, AR. MBA or Executive MBA in Wine Business: Hannah DeYoung, Santa Rosa, CA; Alicia Kidd, Hercules, CA; Caitlyn Krug, New Orleans, LA; Ann-Marie Mattis, San Francisco, CA; Martha Vicedomini, Washington DC. Professional Development: Kyle Burke, Randallstown, MD; Cassandra Schaeg, Escondido, CA; Sarah Timbrook-Nugent, Seattle, WA; Racquel Valbrun, Cumming, GA.

For more information about the various scholarship opportunities awarded visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award scholarships in 2020. To donate, and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit womenofthevine.com/foundation or contact Executive Director, Tara Davey at tara@eastwood-partners.com.

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors in 2019
Patron ($100,000+): E. & J. Gallo Winery; Benefactor ($30,000 - $49,999): McBride Sisters Collection; Supporter ($5,000 - $14,999): Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Wine Enthusiast Media; Friend ($1,000 - $4,999): Beam Suntory, Cynthia Lohr, Delicato Family Vineyards.

About the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation
The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is the charitable arm of Women of the Vine & Spirits. The Foundation provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance in the alcohol beverage industry through education, leadership, and professional development. For more information, please visit womenofthevine.com/foundation.

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CONTACT:

Kyndal Korsgaden          

Kyndal@womenofthevine.com

805-779-0301