Winemaker Scholarship

Winemaker Scholarship

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When I look at the communities where our employees live and work, I see diversity everywhere, but when I look at our industry, I see an imbalance…both for me personally and as the leader of this organization, I know we want to make a difference.

- Chris Indelicato, President & CEO

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Over View

Delicato Family Wines realizes there is an imbalance of race and diversity in the wine industry, specifically those in winemaking and we are committed to being part of a meaningful, long-lasting positive change. To that end, Delicato is launching a new Winemaker Scholarship and mentoring program. The aspiration behind the program is to encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students to join the wine industry and support them through the academic pipeline to a successful early career placement opportunity. The mission and purpose of Delicato Family Wines’ Winemaker Scholarship Program is to support diversity efforts within the Wine Industry with a specific focus on supporting BIPOC students in their pursuit of becoming a Winemaker.

What You
Will Receive

Full ride
scholarship*

Choose one of three California universities and we’ll cover the rest. The scholarship will pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and/or other related educational expenses.

Mentorship
Program

You will be provided guidance and support from a Delicato employee, meeting in-person at Delicato’s facilities and participating in monthly video conference calls.

Paid Summer
Internship

Get hands-on experience in Winemaking at Delicato locations, along with opportunities for cross-functional development by working with other departments.

Career
Placement

After completing college, you will be provided a full-time opportunity to join Delicato’s winemaking team full-time as an Associate Winemaker for a minimum of two years.
*Delicato will provide one (1) Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) student with a full ride scholarship to one of the three California universities which offer recognizable viticulture and enology programs: University of California, Davis, California Polytechnic State University, and California State University, Fresno.

Scholarship
Requirements

To be considered for a Delicato Family Wines’ Winemaker Scholarship, an applicant must:
  • Be a Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC).
  • Show an interest and aptitude for the Sciences and for becoming a Winemaker.
  • Be accepted to one of the three California Colleges, University of California, Davis, California Polytechnic State University, and California State University, Fresno in the state of California, that offer a viticulture and enology program.
  • Act in a manner reflective of the Company Culture of Hard Work, High Standards, Innovation and Continuous Evolution, Trust in Team, and Sustainable Relationships.

Apply

Click the button below to start the application process. Please have your resume, transcripts and letters of recommendations available.
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Frequently Asked
Questions

May I apply for Delicato’s Winemaker Scholarship if I am already in college?
Yes, you may if you meet the requirements of the program.
May I apply for the Delicato’s Winemaker Scholarship if I plan to attend a community college in the fall?
No, as the program is intended for students currently enrolled in one of the three approved schools*. * University of California, Davis, California Polytechnic State University, and California State University, Fresno.
Do I have to send an official transcript?
Yes. If you cannot obtain an official transcript from your school, you can send an unofficial transcript with your application. However, if you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit an official transcript.
May I apply for the Delicato’s Winemaker Scholarship if I do not live in California?
Yes. The Winemaker Scholarship is available to students throughout the United States.
Am I automatically part of the summer internship program if I receive the scholarship reward?
Yes. Recipients of the Winemaker Scholarship are automatically enrolled into Delicato’s summer internship program.
What will my scholarship pay for?
The scholarship will pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and/or other related educational expenses. This will be outlined in the award notification.
Will my scholarship check be sent directly to me?
Scholarship checks are designated for the student and are mailed directly to the school’s financial aid or scholarships office, which will deposit the check and post it to the student’s account. There are no exceptions to where we send the check. Scholarships are divided into two equal payments – one for the fall semester or quarter and the other for the spring semester or winter quarter.
Is my scholarship taxable?
Yes, the scholarship is taxable. The reporting and taxation of scholarships is governed by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and Treasury Regulations. The award provided by Delicato does not meet IRC requirements to be a qualified scholarship. All payments for tuition, fees, and course-related equipment are therefore fully taxable. Delicato will adjust the benefits to be reported on your Form W-2 at an increased amount from which all appropriate Federal, State, and Local taxes will be withheld and paid on your behalf. The net amount you will receive are the actual costs paid for tuition, fees, and course- related equipment. Since this income has the potential to land you in a higher tax bracket, you are responsible for making any additional payroll adjustments based on other personal income. For further information, please refer to Internal Revenue Service Publication 970, consult a tax professional, or contact your school’s financial aid office.
Will I need to pay back my scholarship?
No, students will not need to pay back the scholarship as long as you fulfill the commitment outlined within the program details and complete the two-year commitment post-graduation.
What if I take more than four years to complete my degree?
We expect applicants to complete their degree with in four years. If there are unforeseen circumstances that will causes you to surpass four year, we will address at that time.
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