Bill Powers had an insatiable desire to find new practices to grow better winegrapes. To honor the late owner of Badger Mountain Winery, family and associates created the Bill Powers Sabbatical Fund to give professional employees of the Washington wine industry the opportunity to travel to a wine-producing region of the world and explore winegrape growing or winemaking practices that furthers their career and benefits the industry.

The Powers Sabbatical will award up to $5,000 to an individual each year. Recipients must be working in the Washington state grape or wine industry and have at least five years of experience in viticulture or enology. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation manages the fund as well as other scholarships and grants, while developing resources in support of a mission of crafting sustainable solutions to our industry’s challenges by bringing together partners and facilitating funding.

Since 2002, the Foundation has awarded over $263,000 to 185 students for education in the grape and wine industry. The Foundation is a place where families can create tax-deductible funds in support of the Washington wine industry. For more information, please visit www.washingtonwinefoundation.org.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation awarded $38,000 in scholarships to 12 students pursuing careers in the wine industry. The awards came from four funds:

Walter J. Clore Scholarship – Established in 1997 by the Washington Winegrowers Association to recognize and honor the research and lifetime achievements of this pioneering Washington vintner. Four students were awarded Clore Scholarships.

Foundation Fund Scholarship – Established in 2013 as an endowed fund by the Foundation Board of Directors. Eleven students were awarded Foundation Fund Scholarships.

Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers Scholarship – Awards students from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (American Viticulture Area representing land in Yakima, Klickitat and Benton counties). Two students were awarded the Horse Heaven Hills Scholarship.

George and Susan Carter Scholarship – Established in 2017 as an endowed fund honoring WSU researcher and winemaker George Carter and his wife Susan. One student was awarded this auto-renewing scholarship.

The Washington Wine Industry Foundation helps fund solutions for the wine industry’s challenges, including the need for a future workforce that is well-educated and prepared to do great work. The Foundation’s Scholarship Program establishes, coordinates, manages and promotes scholarships for students pursuing degrees in industry-related fields. The Foundation’s Scholarship Program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the wine industry. To learn more about the Foundation and Scholarship Program, visit washingtonwinefoundation.org.

    – Washington Wine Industry Foundation