History & Mission
California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation is continuing the scholarship program begun by the California Association of Winegrape Growers in 1998.
Each year, the Foundation awards six scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. The six scholarships are for either a University of California or California State University Four Year Program ($8,000 each) or for a California Community College Two Year Program ($2,000 each).
In addition, one Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year.
“When I was a little kid going to the vineyard with my dad and watching him work was just something fun we could do together, but as I have grown over the years I can now appreciate the sense of hard work and dedication my father instilled in me at such a young age. It was on the vineyard that I learned the value of year-round hard work and that the fruits of labor are very sweet indeed.”
-Tucker Marsano
Featured image above: Tucker (far left) with college friends at a football game
As a non-profit public benefit corporation, the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation was established to conduct public education programs, fund scholarships and support research related to the California wine and winegrape industry.
Over the years the scholarship program has enabled children of California winegrape grower employees to go to college. Most, if not all, may not have been able to continue their education past high school if not for the financial aid offered by these scholarships.
The scholarship program was started as an expression of gratitude to the employees who help make the winegrape and wine community a special part of California culture. The Foundation is proud to be able to offer and continue this scholarship program made possible through the generous donations of those in the California Wine Industry. The California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation is at work for all the people who make the wine industry a part of their lives.
The California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization.
California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation Board of Directors/Staff Roster
- Chair Davindar Mahil, Madera
- Vice-Chair Hector Corona, Elk Grove
- Secretary/Treasurer Mike Manna, Acampo
- Trustee Chad Clark, Healdsburg
- Trustee Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, Yountville
- Trustee Bob Lauchland, Woodbridge
- Trustee Craig Ledbetter, Lodi
- Trustee Tom Slater, Clarksburg
- Executive Director Natalie Collins, Sacramento