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
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Washington's founding winery Chateau Ste. Michelle is partnering with Washington restaurants to support the tenth annual "Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship" program to benefit Viticulture and Enology programs at Washington State University and other Northwest universities. You can support future winemakers with a purchase of Chateau Ste. Michelle wine at some 300 Northwest restaurants participating in the "Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship" program which runs through the end of December 2017.
"We are proud that our local restaurant community has helped raise $450,000 over the past 10 years to support future grape growers and winemakers of the Northwest," says Ste. Michelle Wine Estates President and CEO Ted Baseler. “Local Viticulture and Enology programs are critical for the Washington wine industry to continue to produce world-class wines for decades to come."
Launched in 2008, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Raise A Glass, Fund a Scholarship program helps fund scholarships, research, faculty and equipment for Northwest universities offering grape growing and winemaking degrees.
“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."
Today the Washington wine industry is the second largest premium wine producer in the country. It boasts more than 1,000 wineries, over 350 wine grape growers and 60,000 acres of grape vines.
This year, Chateau Ste. Michelle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with commemorative Cabernet and Chardonnay bottlings, special events, library wine releases, a visitor center expansion, and other programs through the end of the year. Please visit ste-michelle.com for event information and updates. Follow Chateau Ste. Michelle on Instagram: @chateaustemichelle, Facebook: Ste.Michelle, Twitter: @stemichelle and the conversation at #CSM50.
Thank you to the participating restaurants listed HERE.
About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,900 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with some of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori, Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen and Tenet is a collaboration with Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France. Chateau Ste. Michelle has received a long list of awards including 22 “Top 100 Wineries of The Year” honors (Wine & Spirits) and 18 “Top 100 Wines” designations (Wine Spectator). Chateau Ste. Michelle also has a long history of giving back to the industry and community. The net proceeds from its popular Summer Concert Series helps fund its charitable giving program, which supports some 400 non-profit organizations annually, has provided more than $3 million for scholarships for high-achieving, low-income students at Washington universities, and supports the Viticulture & Enology Program at Washington State University.
# # #
For further information:
Lynda Eller
media@ste-michelle.com
