Announcing the 2026 AWSEF Scholarship Recipients

We are pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of our annual scholarships, awarded to graduate students conducting advanced research that supports the North American wine industry.

This year, eight outstanding scholars from leading research institutions were selected for their innovative and impactful studies in viticulture, enology, grape breeding, plant pathology, and soil science.

The 2026 AWSEF Scholarship Recipients

William Anderson, MSc Candidate at Texas A&M, is developing GLRaV-3-resistant Vitis vinifera rootstock varieties using traditional and novel techniques.
Virginia Wylder Scholarship

Aliyah Brewer, PhD candidate at Cornell University, is advancing the resilience of new wine grape varieties through downy mildew disease resistance.
AWS Chapter of Dayton/ Springfield, OH Scholarship

Sarah Caballero, PhD candidate at Oregon State University, is developing a protective coating designed to prevent smoke-derived compounds from entering grapes pre-harvest.
AWS North Wake Chapter Scholarship

Harper Esterak, MSc candidate at Texas A&M, studies how growing conditions of American oak in Texas may influence how oak expresses itself in wine.
AWS North Alabama Chapter Scholarship

Hannah Frank, PhD candidate at Cornell University, studies grapevine interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to help growers produce high-quality wine grapes with optimized inputs.
AWS Carroll County Chapter, G. Hamilton Mowbray Memorial, in memory of Bill Eisberg

Agostino Gamba, MSc candidate at the University of California at Davis, investigates and quantifies the effects of Grapevine red blotch disease, GRBV, on vine physiology, as well as production and fruit quality metrics.
AWS Educational Foundation Scholarship, In Memory of Ken Brewer

Daniela Menendez, PhD candidate at Virginia Tech, works to advance the sustainable management of the spotted lanternfly (an invasive planthopper, SLF) in American vineyards.
W.J. RACHELE Endowment Scholarship

Taran Rowles, MSc candidate at the Pennsylvania State University, develops innovative techniques and tools for ground cover and soil management that improve North American vineyard sustainability and wine quality.
AWS Smokey Mountain Chapter Scholarship, in the name of Alcide L Porell

All recipients are also awarded a one-year membership with the American Wine Society.

The AWSEF is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in the grape and wine industry.

Scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from AWS chapters, endowed funds, and individual donors.