Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation Donates Record $10 Million to ΒιΆΉΣ³»
The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation is donating a record $10 million to Napa Valley College (NVC). The gift will support the construction and expansion of NVCβs Viticulture, Wine and Technology (VWT) program teaching spaces, which will be named the Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex at ΒιΆΉΣ³». The announcement was made by ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation Executive Director Jessica Thomason.
βIf there was ever an educational institution poised for significant contributions to the growth of the California wine industry, this is it,β said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Wine Spectator. βIt is our hope that the door for learning opens wider for young adults from all walks of life, providing a platform for future leadership in the wine industry.β
Located in the heart of ΒιΆΉΣ³», ΒιΆΉΣ³»βs VWT program is one of the largest college viticulture and winemaking programs in the country, with an annual enrollment of 800-1,000 students, complete with a five-acre vineyard and commercial winery. Students in the VWT program can obtain either a certificate or a two-year associate of science degree, specializing in viticulture, enology or wine marketing and sales. The majority of students are already actively working in the wine industry and taking classes to advance their careers.
The Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex includes construction of a new state-of-the-art sensory classroom as well as conversion of an existing classroom into a modern wine laboratory for both instruction and production. Additionally, an existing historic building will be converted and expanded to include indoor and outdoor spaces for hospitality, marketing and sales instructional courses as well as a public tasting room. Upon completion, the Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will be organized into three buildings that include a classroom, laboratory and tasting room.
βThe Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex at ΒιΆΉΣ³» will provide the physical and technical infrastructure necessary to support innovative programs and expand the reach of those programs,β said Dr. Ron Kraft, president of ΒιΆΉΣ³» College. βWe have made significant investments in the program and buildings over the years, but this generous gift from Marvin Shanken will allow us to truly make our VWT program state-of-the-art.β
Jessica Thomason, executive director of the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation, expressed her appreciation not only for the generous gift, but also for the opportunity to partner with Shanken. βHis personal commitment is unparalleled, not only in providing the funds necessary to create a world-class wine education center, but also in his desire to truly impact the learning experience for NVCβs students in a positive way.β
βΒιΆΉΣ³»βs VWT program has long been supported by our community. The Trefethen
family were early donors and helped spearhead contributions from others, including
the ΒιΆΉΣ³» Vintners, and the program wouldnβt be where it is today without their
funding,β said Malcolm deSieyes, president, ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation. βThis
incredible gift from Marvin Shanken and the Wine Spectator will build on those earlier
investments. We are deeply appreciative of their generous support, which will take
the program to the next level, making our vision for the future a reality.β
βMarvin ³§³σ²Ή²Τ°μ±π²Τβs investment in the Wine Spectator Wine Education Complex will have a positive impact on our students and the wine industry for many years to come,β said Jennifer Baker, president, ΒιΆΉΣ³» Board of Trustees. βWith this world-class facility, ΒιΆΉΣ³» will take its rightful place as a leader in training students for careers in the wine industry. We are so fortunate to have the ΒιΆΉΣ³» College Foundation and the Wine Spectator as partners in this grand endeavor.β
About Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is the worldβs leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the
brand also encompasses the Webβs most comprehensive wine site (), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the
world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wineβs role in contemporary
culture and delivering expert reviews of more than 15,000 wines each year. Parent
company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily, Shanken News Daily, Cannabis Edition and ³§³σ²Ή²Τ°μ±π²Τβs Impact Newsletter.
The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation was formed in 1982 and hosts the annual
Wine Experience events. Over the past four decades, the Foundation has raised more
than $30 million to support various philanthropic programs in wine and food education. Foundation
beneficiaries have included 924 scholarships and grants for students at the University
of California, Davis; the Wine Spectator Learning Center at Sonoma State University;
Washington State Universityβs Viticulture & Enology Program; the Culinary Institute
of America; Cornell Universityβs School of Hotel Administration; Florida International
Universityβs Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management; and JosΓ© AndrΓ©sβ
Charity, World Central Kitchen.
About ΒιΆΉΣ³»
ΒιΆΉΣ³» prepares students for evolving roles in a diverse, dynamic, and
interdependent world. The college is an accredited open-access, degree- and certificate-granting
institution that is committed to student achievement through high-quality programs
and services that are continuously evaluated and improved. The college serves students
and the community in the following areas: transfer courses, career-technical education
and training, basic skills, and self-supporting contract education and community education
classes. ΒιΆΉΣ³» is located at 2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway in Napa. Learn more at .
About ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation
The ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation was founded in 1968 to increase community awareness
and provide financial support for the ΒιΆΉΣ³» and its students. The Foundation
engages the ΒιΆΉΣ³» community by cultivating relationships, leveraging partnerships,
and inviting generosity for ΒιΆΉΣ³». The Foundationβs Board of Directors
includes professional, business, and philanthropic leaders who have a dedicated interest
in the College and its students. The ΒιΆΉΣ³» Foundation is an independent
California nonprofit, public benefit corporation and is tax-exempt as provided by
IRS Sec. 501 (c)3. Federal ID# 23-7003565.
Recent Articles
- Murals at NVC's student housing project complete
- Latinx Heritage Month 2024
- Moving day: ΒιΆΉΣ³» welcomes students to new on-campus housing complex
- Graduate praises college as a place of βfertile groundβ
- Graduate emphasizes importance of βshowing upβ
- Future Winemaker Launches Career at NVC
- ΒιΆΉΣ³» graduation features State Sen. Bill Dodd
Related Articles
ΒιΆΉΣ³» Writers' Conference
Intimate Writing Workshops with a Focus on Craft