2022 Scholarship

The 2022 Scholarship Program Awards totaling $7,000 to students for assistance in wine and winery education, internship or field study in Texas, research work as it pertains to grape growing, and wine making in the state of Texas.

“This demonstrates the passion that these students have for the Texas wine industry and helping in its growth and evolution.”

— Shirley Choate, State President of the WST

Julia Minter
Cassie Marbach
Grace Wasson

  • $3,500 James F. Whitley Founders Scholarship

    Mrs. Marbach is pursuing a PHD from Texas A&M University with a focus on Texas wine economics. She graduated from Texas Tech in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Viticulture and Enology while graduating Summa Cum Laude.

    She has earned a level 3 WSET certification and is working on obtaining a level 4. Cassie currently works as a Research and Teaching Assistant in the Horticulture department.

    Upon graduation her plan is to utilize the knowledge gained in her PHD program to assist Texas wineries on how to better market their wines, improve profitability and competitiveness and to serve as an advocate for Texas wines.

  • $1,500 Scholarship

    Ms. Wasson is enrolled in the Winemaking Certification program at Texas Tech/Fredericksburg. She currently works as a vineyard and cellar assistant at Lewis Winery in Johnson City.

    Grace graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Edwards University. Her goal after obtaining her winemaking certification is to become a successful winemaker in the Texas Hills country.

  • $1,000 Scholarship

    Ms. Minter is in the second semester graduate program at Texas A&M working to obtain her Master of Science in Horticulture. Her research focus is on Vineyard floor management, the effects of seeded cover crops on vine growth and soil microbes in various wine grape growing regions in Texas.

    She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from A&M graduating with a 4.0 GPA and Summa Cum Laude. She currently works with A&M AgrLife Extension Services.

    Upon graduation she would like to continue to work with Texas A&M AgriLife Extensive Services to use the knowledge she obtained in her research projects to advise Texas wineries when needed.

  • $1,000 Scholarship

    Mrs. Cox is enrolled in the Texas Tech Viticulture/Winemaking program. She currently owns a 1-acre vineyard in Sabine County and produces 30 - 60 cases of wine. Her goal is to expand her vineyard and to begin to purchase grapes from the Texas High Plains to increase output and to ultimately open a winery in the east Texas area.

    Ms. Cox is a graduate from Texas A&M with a Master of Science degree in Geologic Oceanography.

Recipients

Cassie Marbach

Grace Wasson

Julia Minter

Christine Piela Cox