The Washington Wine Industry Foundation has awarded $31,000 in scholarships to eight students pursuing careers in the Washington wine industry following their studies in grape and wine related fields.

Applications were received from 32 students; 13 awards were made to eight students for the 2015-2016 school year. Areas of study include viticulture, enology, food science, plant pathology including post-graduate work in the areas of plant cold-hardiness, diseases, and pests.

The funds were awarded from three scholarships:
? The Walter J. Clore scholarship was started in 1997 by the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers to recognize and honor the research and lifetime achievements of this pioneering Washington vintner. Seven students were awarded Clore Scholarships from $500 to $1,500.
? The Foundation Fund scholarship was established in June of 2013 as an endowed fund by the WWIF Board of Directors. The number of awards is determined annually up to $5,000 each. For the upcoming school year, students at the undergraduate and post-graduate level in 2-year or 4-year institutions in Washington were eligible. Five awards were made from $3,500 to $5,000.
? The Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers scholarship grants up to $1,500 to students from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (American Viticulture Area, comprised of lands in Yakima, Klickitat and Benton counties); one award was made.

The WWIF Board is pleased to announce the 2015-2016 Scholarship awardees:
? Jadi Adiputra, a PhD candidate in Plant Pathology at WSU, was awarded the Clore Scholarship. Jadi’s research into plant diseases supports our state’s clean plant work and improves management of grapevine red blotch disease.

? Jesse Aplin, a PhD candidate in the Food Science at WSU, is conducting research into yeasts, including impacts on wine quality and mouthfeel, and the use of native yeast isolates to control alcohol content. His research proposal and presentation gained Jesse direct entry into the PhD program. Jesse was awarded the Clore Scholarship.

? Kaelin Campbell, a junior at WSU, is studying viticulture and enology, serves as President of the V&E Club and plays the role of ambassador of the program to the CAHNRS (the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource Sciences). Kaelin was awarded the Clore and Foundation Fund Scholarships.

? Zachary Cartwright also was awarded the Clore and Foundation Fund Scholarships. Zachary is a prior recipient, and currently a PhD candidate in Food Science at WSU. Zachary was allowed to participate directly in the PhD program (without first obtaining a Masters Degree) and is conducting research into Brettanomyces Bruxellenses, a yeast that adversely affects wine quality.

? Devon Griffith, a junior seeking a B.S. in Integrated Plant Sciences at WSU, has been focusing on comparing varietal characteristics across various clones of the same varietal under the tutelage of WSU V&E Director Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling. Devon was awarded a Clore Scholarship.

? Eric Gale is a Masters Candidate in Viticulture at WSU. Eric’s academic emphasis is on root cold hardiness and post-freeze crown gall infestation. Like other students, Eric volunteers at a local vineyard and winery to complement his education. Eric was awarded a Foundation Fund Scholarship.

? Carina Ocampo will be a junior this year in the V&E Department at WSU. This spring, Carina is entering an internship with Dr. Naidu Rayapati in the Prosser research station supporting Dr. Rayapati’s work on grapevine viruses, and hopes to pursue a graduate degree in the subject. Carina was awarded the Clore, Horse Heaven Hills and Foundation Fund Scholarships.

? Matthew Reilly is a former architect now pursuing an AAAS degree in the Enology and Viticulture department at Walla Walla Community College. Matthew also serves as Student Consultant and Program Researcher for “Vinea: The Winegrowers Sustainable Trust” in the Walla Walla Valley and works as a cellar master at a Walla Walla-area winery. Matthew was awarded Clore and Foundation Fund Scholarships.