ASEV Awards $95,500 in Scholarships to 20 Students

DAVIS, Calif., July 28, 2026 – Twenty students pursuing studies in enology, viticulture, and related fields received a total of $95,500 in scholarships from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The scholarships include the ASEV Presidents’ Award for Scholarship in Viticulture, which provided $12,500 to one student who exceeded expectations of the traditional scholarship program, as well as ASEV Traditional Scholarships awarded to 19 students.

George (Shijian) Zhuang of the University of California, Riverside, received the ASEV Presidents’ Award for Scholarship in viticulture. Watch his video.

In addition, the following students received ASEV Traditional Scholarships:

• Anugya Bhattaari, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Whitney Cheatwood, California State University, Fresno
• Sarah Davis, University of British Columbia, Canada
• Hava Delavar, University of North Dakota, Fargo
• Brooke Dietsch, Iowa State University, Ames
• Jonathan Doebler, University of California, Davis
• Achyut Duwadi, University of Georgia, Athens
• Delaney Dyer, University of California, Davis
• Holley Eaton, Brock University, Canada*
• Bijaya Ghimire, University of Georgia, Athens
• Grace Lilly, Oregon State University, Corvallis
• Daniela Menendez, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
• Jennifer Neubauer, Cornell University, New York
• Shane “Gabriel” Olson, Texas A&M University, College Station
• Alyssa Perez, Washington State University, Prosser
• Taran Rowles, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park**
• Raquel Venegas, Washington State University, Prosser
• Nicholas Wendrick, University of Florida, Gainesville
• Nikolas Wilson, University of British Columbia, Canada

*Dennis Martin Scholarship Recipient, Top Enology
**Mike Vail Scholarship Recipient, Top Viticulture

“As a former ASEV scholarship recipient, I know firsthand the encouragement and opportunity these scholarships can provide,” said ASEV President Kristen Barnhisel. “ASEV is proud to recognize these outstanding students as they prepare to contribute to the future of enology, viticulture, and wine and grape research. Through these scholarships, ASEV continues to invest in the next generation of scientists, professionals and leaders who will help advance knowledge and innovation across the industry.”

ASEV annually awards scholarships to students pursuing a degree in enology, viticulture, or a curriculum emphasizing a science basic to the wine and grape industry. Scholarship recommendations made by the ASEV Scholarship Committee are subject to final approval by the ASEV Board of Directors.

For more information about ASEV’s scholarship programs, visit the Scholarship Program webpage at asev.org. Applications are accepted annually by March 1.

In addition to the Society’s longstanding scholarship program, ASEV established the American Society for Enology and Viticulture Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2023 that is dedicated to securing the future of scholarships for students pursuing careers in enology and viticulture.

The Foundation was created to build long-term financial support for the next generation of wine and grape professionals. Its goal is to establish sustainable funding that will provide consistent scholarship opportunities for students for years to come. By growing a permanent source of scholarship funding, the Foundation will help ensure that future generations of aspiring enologists, viticulturists, and grape and wine researchers have access to the educational resources they need to advance the industry.

Through donations, the Foundation will create a lasting legacy of educational opportunity and professional development for students dedicated to the science of grape and wine. For more information or to donate, visit www.asevfoundation.org.

Formed in 1950, ASEV is a professional society for enologists, viticulturists and others in wine and grape research and production, with members from wineries, vineyards and academic institutions worldwide. ASEV publishes the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (AJEV), hosts its National Conference and co-hosts the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium with the California Association for Winegrape Growers (CAWG).