With the goal of elevating minority voices and talent in the winemaking industry, Woodinville Wine Country has partnered with Chateau Ste. Michelle and DeLille Cellars to create an endowment through the Washington State University Viticulture & Enology Program. The Woodinville Wine Country Diversity scholarship will support minority and under-represented students within the program who demonstrate a passion for and dedication to the winegrowing and winemaking craft, as well as a love of higher learning and continued wine education.
“We are very excited about our new Viticulture & Enology major, and this scholarship will allow us to bring in students from all backgrounds to study with us and to join the wine industry.” – Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling, Director, Viticulture & Enology program
“This endowment marks a small step in an ongoing effort to further the mission for greater inclusivity and diversity throughout our wine industry and community,” said Amber Schmitt, Marketing Director, Woodinville Wine Country. “We are excited that two of Woodinville’s leading wineries have joined in our commitment to support diversity in Washington state.”
Community members who would like to make a donation to grow the endowment fund for the Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Scholarship Fund can donate here.
“We are proud to be a founding contributor to the Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Scholarship” David Dearie, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates commented. “Fostering a diverse pool of workforce talent is vital to the long-term success of the Washington wine sector.”
“This is a small but important step to creating more inclusivity and diversity within our wine community,” said Tom Dugan, CEO of DeLille Cellars. “WSU has a world class viticulture and enology program, and we’re honored to partner with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Woodinville Wine Country in creating this scholarship. It reflects the great collaboration and community of Washington wine.”
“WSU’s wine science program is an innovative part of our land grant university, and this scholarship gives us the opportunity to continue building diversity within our college, and the Washington wine community,” said André-Denis Wright, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
###
About Woodinville Wine Country Association
Woodinville Wine Country Association is a group of vintners and affiliates who represents the growing presence of the Washington state wine industry in the Greater Woodinville area. The association’s mission is to create a world-class wine destination, and a supportive and profitable environment for Washington vintners and affiliates.
About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,900 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with some of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori, Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen and Tenet is a collaboration with Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France.
About DeLille Cellars
Bordeaux Inspired – Distinctly Washington – Uniquely DeLille
DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading international critics. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington’s most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state. In 2019, DeLille Cellars moved all operations to the old Redhook Brewery in Woodinville. To learn more about DeLille Cellars, visit www.delillecellars.com.
Media Contact:
Amber Schmitt, Woodinville Wine Country Director of Marketing
425.287.3298 / marketing@woodinvillewinecountry.com
https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/