Women of the Vine & Spirits awards 33 scholarships in 2024

Providing scholarships to support educational and professional development, the Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation continues to propel its mission of cultivating and supporting talented leaders in wine, beer, and spirits. This year, 33 scholarships were awarded from this fund, including two $10,000 awards.

The Women of the Vine & Spirts Foundation is the charitable arm of  Women of the Vine & Spirits, the only global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women across every sector and all three-tiers of the beverage alcohol industry.

“The “Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund” supported by Patron Donor Gallo, is having incredible impact on fostering the next generation of women in beverage alcohol industry,” said Deborah Brenner, President of Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation. “I am so honored to celebrate this year’s recipients for their outstanding achievements. I am so grateful to Gallo, our Foundation Committee Members, and our Board. Together, we are crafting a better world for women in wine, beer and spirits.” 

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation has awarded $863,545 in scholarships since its inception in 2017. For the sixth year in a row, Gallo donated $100,000 as a Patron Donor to the “Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund.”

“Women Behind the Wine Educational Fund” Scholarship Recipients:

Elizabeth Smyth Student Scholarship: Kayla Brent, British Columbia, Canada. 

Masters of Wine Scholarship: Natalia Pezzone, Berkshire, United Kingdom. 

Fuel Your Dreams Award: 

• Samantha Adcock, San Diego, CA;
• Josephina Alex, Salt Lake City, UT;
• Rachel Allison, New York, NY;
• Sonnay Alvarez, Boise, ID;
• Anja Bauman, Marietta, GA;
• Marlena Blitz, Westfield, NJ;
• Amanda Cayouette, Livonia, NY;
• Carrie Dann, Washington, D.C.;
• Miranda Durr, Albuquerque, NM;
• Elissa Feist, Delmar, NY;
• Rosa Fierro, Danville, CA;
• Ingrid Folkers, Raleigh, NC;
• Janelle Freeman, Lorton, VA;
• Kseniia Greene, Decatur, GA;
• Jasmine Hanna, Playa del Rey, CA;
• Kiana Keys, Chicago, IL;
• Lauren Lyall, Sunnyvale, CA;
• Michelle Moreno, Austin, TX;
• Jennifer Niesen, Chicago, IL;
• Sonia Nuno, Rialto, CA;
• Kelly Parker, Jefferson, NY;
• Justine Perez, Roseville, CA;
• Grace Rathbone, Seattle, WA:
• Christine Riddle, Milwaukee, WI;
• Nivia Riha, Charlotte, NC;
• Kristina Sazama, Cove Springs, FL;
• Erica Taylor, Vallejo, CA;
• Brenna Turner, Venice, CA;
• Kelly Winkler, Phoenix, AZ;
• Andrea Wrede, Pacific Grove, CA;
• Jameelah Young, Washington, D.C. 

Overseeing the growth and development of the non-profit is Executive Director, Tara Davey, alongside the Board of Trustees, led by Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits; Béatrice Cointreau, President & CEO, byBC Wines; and Richard Tobin, Partner, Aprio, LLP.

For more information about the various scholarships awarded visit wotvsfoundation.org. 

2024 Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Donors:

• Patron ($100,000+): Gallo;
• Advocate ($35,000-$99,999): Suntory Global Spirits;
• Benefactor ($15,000-$34,999): Domaine Serene, Republic National Distributing Company, Tito’s Handmade Vodka;
• Affiliate ($5,000-$14,999): Sazerac Company, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; Friend ($100-$999): Scott Laboratories Inc.

The Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501(c)(3) is looking for donations to award scholarships in 2025. To donate and learn more about donor levels and benefits visit wotvsfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at [email protected].