The Association of African American Vintners and Napa Valley Wine Academy announce the application process for the AAAV Scholarship Program. The program awards 34 course scholarships to applicants who are committed to diversity in the wine industry.
The application period ends September 30, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and scored based on 25% need, 25% course purpose, 50% essay on applicants’ contribution to diversity in the wine industry.
Winners will be announced by November 1, 2023. Scholarships will be applied to courses and certifications provided by the Napa Valley Wine Academy, per the recipient’s application.
ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
To be considered, a recipient must:
1. Be BIPOC or have a business mission directly related to diversity in the wine industry
2. Be employed or actively seeking employment or starting a business related to the wine industry
3. Must be 21 years of age
4. Submit application, attach short answers and essay in PDF or DOC format, attach resume
*Applicants may reside outside of the US; wine kits will not be provided for these applicants.
About AAAV
Founded in 2002, the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is a 501 (C) (6) Non-Profit organization formed for the following purposes:
a) Increase the quality of wine communications to all, and to grow awareness of AAAV.
b) Fostering a spirit of cooperation among all growers, wineries and industry groups.
c) Develop a sense of community among members of the organization through friendly and informal networking and social functions.
d) Increase awareness of diversity in our industry to all wine consumers through public pouring events and virtual tastings showcasing AAAV member wines.
e) Facilitate access to relevant viticulture, enological and related information through voluntary sharing among members.
The mission of Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present-day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to students from underrepresented minorities pursuing a career in the wine industry. Applicants must show how they will support efforts to improve diversity in the wine industry.
One of the current initiatives of the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) is to promote, support, and pave the path for minorities to be successful within all fields of the wine industry. Our challenge is that minorities within the wine industry make up a very small percentage of the landscape and African-American winemakers/owners make up an even smaller percentage – less than 1% to give an accurate picture.
THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
AAAV is partnering with Napa Valley Wine Academy to assist and support the path for minority students to begin their journey pursuing an education or a career in the wine industry, and to assist those supporting diversity in the wine industry.
We are offering the following Scholarships:
- 10 WSET Level 1
- 10 WSET Level 2
- 4 WSET Level 3
- 1 WSET Level 4 D1
- 1 WSET Level 4 D2
- 2 Business of Wine
- 6 American Wine Expert
Before you start, you should consider the 3 questions below, read the entire application, prepare your text and essay answers, and include your resume (see below):
What is your financial need?
Why are you applying for this particular scholarship?
How will you contribute to diversity in the wine industry?
At the end of this application, you will need to answer these 3 questions AND include these answers in the document along with your essay submission of 500 words.
Please give these questions some thought and write your essay before you start the submission.
*Note:
Your text answers to the 3 essays MUST be included in this entry, in a .pdf or word document.
Please remember to include your name in the document.
Only one entry per participant.
Start here when you are ready
