Chateau Ste. Michelle Partners with Local Restaurants to Support Future Grape Growers and Winemakers of the Pacific Northwest

Woodinville, Wash.

“Raise A Glass, Fund A Scholarship” Program Runs Through December

Washington's founding winery Chateau Ste. Michelle is partnering with Washington restaurants to support the eighth annual "Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship" program to benefit Viticulture and Enology programs at Washington State University and other Northwest universities. More than 300 restaurants will participate in the "Raise A Glass, Fund a Scholarship" program which runs now through the end of December 2015.

"We are very proud that our local restaurant community has helped us raise $300,000 over seven years to support future grape growers and winemakers of the Northwest," says Ste. Michelle Wine Estates President Ted Baseler. “These local Viticulture and Enology programs are critical for the Washington wine industry to continue to produce world-class wines for decades to come."

Chateau Ste. Michelle launched the Raise A Glass, Fund a Scholarship program in 2008 and has raised $300,000 for Washington State University and other Northwest universities offering grape growing and winemaking degrees. The money helps fund scholarships, research, faculty and equipment.

“Our program is expanding to meet the needs of Washington’s rapidly growing wine industry, most recently with the landmark opening of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center,” says WSU Viticulture and Enology Program Director Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling. “Some students would not have the opportunity to study here without tuition support such as Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship. These funds go toward the next generation of skilled vineyard and winery employees who will further improve Washington’s distinct, premium wine through practical research."

Growing Washington's World-Class Wine Industry
The Washington wine industry is the second largest premium wine producer in the country. It boasts more than 850 wineries, over 350 wine grape growers and employs over 27,000 full-time workers. The goal of the promotion is to support the local Northwest wine industry by ensuring world-class training is available within colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest to sustain the future of the industry.

Thank you to the supporters of this year's program!

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For further information:
Lynda Eller
media@ste-michelle.com