O Wines Release Nationwide April 2013
O Wines to help fund scholarships for low-income young women. 2013 O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship applications open through April 1.
O Wines of Woodinville, Washington will introduce a Chardonnay and Red Wine for the first time nationally starting in April 2013. Founded in 2006 by Stacy Lill and Kathy Johanson with a mission to fund scholarships for low-income deserving young women, O Wines Chardonnay was previously available primarily in the Northwest. The O Wines 2011 Chardonnay will retail for $14 and O Wines 2010 Red Wine for $16 and be available at retail stores and restaurants nationwide.
O is for Opportunity. O Wines provides scholarships to low income, capable young women so they can achieve their greatest potential through education. The brand has raised $125,000 and funded more than 40 student scholarships in four years. Most of the scholarship recipients were the first members of their families to attend college.
Ste. Michelle Wines Estates acquired O Wines in September 2012 with a desire to grow the brand nationally and raise more money for student scholarships. Founder Stacy Lill will continue to support O Wines as a brand ambassador to raise awareness for O Wines and the O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship.
“Our vision for O Wines was to use wine as a vehicle to fund scholarships and help students improve their lives through education,” says Lill. “I am excited that Ste. Michelle Wine Estates will build on our legacy to help even more students achieve their dreams. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch the first scholarship recipients overcome challenging circumstances and go on to graduate from college and start their careers.”
Winemaker Katie Nelson blended the O Wines Chardonnay and Red Wine from vineyards throughout Washington state’s Columbia Valley. She crafted the Chardonnay in a fruit forward, refreshing style. The Red Wine is a rich, flavorful blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah.
About the O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship
In 2013, O Wines is committed to contributing a minimum of $50,000 to the O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship Fund. Each O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship is $20,000 given in $5,000 increments annually for 4 years. The College Success Foundation with offices in Washington state and Washington D. C. will administer the scholarship program including applications, awards, and fund management.
The on-line O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship is available at: OScholarship.org
The scholarships are available to female high school seniors nationwide who are entering their freshman year of college in Fall 2013 and enrolled in a four year college or university. Applicants must have a minimum 3.20 GPA, a family income level that does not exceed 50% of the median family income in their state by family size and have filed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The application deadline is Monday, April 1, 2013.
The College Success Foundation will select the winners based upon established criteria. The first 8 scholarship winners will be announced in May. The College Success Foundation has over 11 years of experience inspiring underserved, low-income students to finish high school and providing the unique integrated system of supports and scholarships they need to graduate college and succeed in life. For more information on the O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarships visit collegesuccessfoundation.org
***VIEW VIDEO of O Wines founder Stacy Lill, winemaker Katie Nelson and one of the first scholarship recipients talking about O Wines Opportunity for Success Scholarship.
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For further information:
Lynda Eller
Lynda.Eller@smwe.com
